Coast Guard rescues man from disabled vessel

October 12

A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a man from a disabled vessel nearly 150 miles west of Sitka on Monday.

The aircrew of the Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk transported the man to emergency personnel at Yakutat, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

“This is a prime example of how having boating safety equipment, like an (emergency position-indicating radio beacon), can save your life,” said Coast Guard District 17 watchstander Petty Officer First Class Dustin Lake in the release. “It also shows why keeping your EPIRB registered with the correct information is crucial.”

District 17 watchstanders ordered the launch of an HC-130 Hercules from CGAS Kodiak and the MH—60 from Sitka within 15 minutes of receiving the alert from the EPIRB, said the news release. The EPIRB’s registration information indicated the vessel had been sold, its registration was expired, and the EPIRB’s batteries were low.

The MH-60’s aircrew was on-station by 5:21 p.m. and hoisted the man from the Ananda.

Watchstanders contacted the vessel’s former owner, who said the new owner intended to sail the vessel from Seward to the Philippines, possibly stopping in Seattle.

Seas were at 10 feet, with winds at 40 knots and the ceiling at 400 feet, said the news release.