KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrew hoisted three people stranded on a beach near Cape Resurrection, Friday after they escaped from an overturned skiff.
The Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward deployed to Cordova, transported all three people to waiting emergency medical service personnel at the Seward Airport.
According to a Coast Guard press release, Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a call at 11:47 a.m. Friday over VHF channel 16 from the operator of the pleasure craft Kasskade.
The boat’s operator reported that a 19-foot skiff with four people aboard had overturned. They were able to retrieve one person, the captain of the skiff, but due to 6-foot swells the other three remained stranded on the beach, wet and cold.
The aircrew was launched in response. They arrived on scene at just past 2 p.m. and in less than an hour, had transferred all three people to Seward.
Lt. Meg Peters served as right seat pilot of the helicopter during the hoist.
She said the hoisting went quickly and safely because all three survivors listened to the directions from the rescue swimmer who was lowered to the scene to assist them.
Said Peters, “This case turned out positive because the survivors recognized their situation, stayed in place, and listened to the directions of the crew.”
The captain of the skiff traveled to Seward aboard the Good Samaritan vessel, the Kasskade.
