The Anacapa opened fire Thursday afternoon with its 25 mm cannons, blowing holes into the side of the Ryou-Un Maru, the Coast Guard said.

CNN: U.S. Coast Guard sinks Japanese boat washed away by tsunami

The trawler's planned sinking was temporarily halted Thursday morning when the Coast Guard ship, the Anacapa, based out of Petersburg, Alaska, arrived to find a Canadian ship inspecting the trawler.

CNN: U.S. Coast Guard sinks Japanese boat washed away by tsunami