Alaskan Helo Rescuers Keeping Busy

A Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted a fisherman from the deck of a fishing vessel 60 miles south of Kodiak Island, AK on Monday.

The call for assistance came from a crewman aboard the Seattle-based Cape Kawana fishing vessel. He reported another crewmember as injured and in need of medical attention.

A 39-year-old man was hoisted into the helicopter and transported to Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and transferred to waiting emergency medical personnel.

This most recent incident is just one in a long line of rescue situations that have kept Alaskan Coast Guard rescuers very busy recently.

Also on Monday, the Coast Guard participated in a successful search and rescue mission for former state Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch, reported missing after a boating trip in Auke Bay Sunday. Utilizing a helicopter from USCG Air Station Sitka and the cutter, Mustang, Weyhrauch was found hypothermic but alive on East Coghlan Island by a member of the SEADOGS (South East Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search).

In March, five fishermen were rescued from their disabled vessel by the Coast Guard near Kodiak Island in severe weather. The 53-foot fishing vessel Risky Business notified Air Station Kodiak on March 13 that their vessel was listing to port and they were heading to Kodiak. The vessel then reported a mechanical problem and was listing 30 degrees to port and was preparing to abandon ship, according to the Coast Guard. 

An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched to assist the crew 69 miles east of Kodiak, arriving as the vessel was forced on its port side by 20-foot seas and 50 mph winds. The crew was instructed to put on survival suits and enter the water. A basket was lowered and each crewmember was safely hoisted into the helicopter. 

FMI: www.uscg.mil/teamkodiak/