Opinion ID: 779160
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Characteristics of the Lucky Buck

Text: 6 The Lucky Buck was originally built as a derrick barge, but was rebuilt in 1992 as a factory seafood processing barge. It is now used as a floating fish processing factory. The Lucky Buck is a documented vessel with the United States Coast Guard. However, it was granted permanently moored status in July 1997. While the Lucky Buck has no means of self-propulsion and must be towed in order to move, it is relocated twice a year. In June of each year it is towed from Seattle, Washington to its mooring site in Neets Bay, Alaska, and it is towed back to Seattle each October. While Signature Seafoods employees are never on board the Lucky Buck while it is being towed, the Lucky Buck does carry incidental supplies on its voyages between Washington and Alaska. 7 The Lucky Buck has a shaped raked bow, a flat main deck, a flat bottom, flat sides, a square raised stern, and is equipped with a bilge pump. It also has living quarters used by fish processors and administrators while it is moored in Alaska. Pursuant to Coast Guard requirements for vessels, the Lucky Buck is equipped with navigational lights. Other than these lights, however, it has no navigational equipment — specifically, the Lucky Buck has no rudder, keel or propeller. Nor is it equipped with life rafts. 8 In Neets Bay, Alaska, the Lucky Buck is moored by four anchors and a cable affixed to shore. It floats 200 feet off shore and is accessible to land via a floating walkway. The Lucky Buck receives water from a pipe connected to the shore.