KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The F/V Capt’n Andrew aground south of King Cove. US Coast Guard photo
Five fishermen are safe after being rescued from their grounded fishing vessel yesterday morning along the Alaska Peninsula.
The U.S. Coast Guard reports the Capt’n Andrew, a 57-foot fishing boat, ran aground on Bold Cape, four miles southeast of King Cove Sunday morning.
The fishing vessels Golden Dawn and Just In Case responded after the Coast Guard put out an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast requesting local vessels that could safely assist the stricken boat.
A crewmember of the Just In Case launched a skiff and took the five-person crew off the partially submerged vessel and transferred them back to his boat, while the Golden Dawn crew relayed information to the Coast Guard. Two Air Station Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters forward-deployed in St. Paul were launched but were not needed.
Jennifer Whitcomb, a Coast Guard search and rescue controller at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Juneau said Good Samaritan vessels play an essential role in remote rescues, when vast distances can delay a Coast Guard response.
The Just In Case safely transported all five crewmembers from the Capt’n Andrew to King Cove with no reported injuries.
The Capt’n Andrew reportedly is carrying approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios says there was no immediate sign of pollution from the 57-foot boat The Coast Guard says a salvage vessel is heading to the grounding site and is expected to arrive today (Monday). The Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
Weather on scene was reportedly 10-knot winds and less than a mile of visibility.
