Dan Magone and his Unalaska company, Magone Marine, will exterminate the rats aboard the so-called pirate fishing vessel, the Bangun Perkasa, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.

The work could take up to 10 days, and also will including making repairs to the ship and keeping 30 tons of squid in its holds fresh.

A day earlier, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich had suggested the ship be towed out to sea and sunk using explosives. But the towing is still expected to happen.

"The contractor will tow the vessel away from land while using live traps and anti-coagulant agents on the vessel to dispose of the rats and will make needed repairs to eliminate any issues that make the vessel a threat to the environment," the Coast Guard statement said. Also, the contractor will maintain the ship’s refrigeration systems to keep its cargo of squid fresh.

The statement says the vessel and its 22-man crew are suspected of "large-scale illegal high-seas drift net fishing in the North Pacific Ocean," a practice that kills an array of sea life and affects the global food chain, said Capt. Craig Lloyd, the chief of response for Coast Guard District 17.

Bangun Perkasa crewmembers were transferred to Custom and Border Protection agents in Anchorage. They will be interviewed by that agency, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and authorities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

"NOAA will take the vessel from the Coast Guard for further investigation into illegal fishing activities by this and any related vessels, as well as into those behind and profiting from this unlawful activity. Once the investigation is completed, NOAA will forward its findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office," the release said.

Contact Alex DeMarban at alex(at)alaskadispatch.com