A cargo ship traveling from Asia was being held in Dutch Harbor Wednesday as part of an ongoing environmental crimes investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Anchorage.
The Lindavia, a 600-foot container vessel, had stopped in Dutch Harbor to pick up a cargo of seafood to bring back to Asia when the U.S. Coast Guard conducted an inspection, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis.
The Coast Guard "identified deficiencies and noted issues that required further investigation," Feldis said. He said he could not provide further details on the issues Wednesday evening, citing an ongoing investigation.
A German company operated the Lindavia, Feldis said. The vessel was registered in Liberia, he said.
It was not immediately clear Wednesday night what day the Lindavia docked in Dutch Harbor, nor was it clear how long it and its crew would be held there.
Feldis said vessel operators will sometimes negotiate an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard wherein they will post a bond and the Coast Guard will release the vessel.
The Coast Guard, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are all involved in the investigation, Feldis said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.