KODIAK, Alaska — Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska personnel inspected the cargo vessel Morning Cedar in Dutch Harbor Monday.

The 650-foot cargo ship was safely escorted by the Coast Guard Cutter Sherman to Unalaska arriving Sunday at 11 a.m. Temporary repairs were made to the rudder after it was disabled and the ship drifted for five days northwest of Adak.

The Morning Cedar became disabled after suffering damage to the rudder system Dec. 5 and reported it to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard worked with the vessel’s owner to ensure the safety of the 23-man crew and vessel until repairs were made.

An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, prepositioned in Adak, flew three technicians to the Morning Cedar Thursday to repair the rudder system. The technicians successfully made the temporary repairs Friday and the vessel steamed toward Unalaska to complete full repairs before continuing its voyage to Tokyo.

“The cause of the steering casualty is currently under investigation,” said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Mahoney, a marine inspector with Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska.

Source: United States Coast Guard