Coast Guard Helicopter Recovers Survivors Who Abandoned Ship

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka recovered all three survivors from the water about 58 miles east of Kayak Island and transported them safely to Yakutat.

The sailors were aboard the fishing vessel Tsui in the eastern Gulf of Alaska when they lost power after experiencing an electrical fire. The captain had deployed the vessel’s anchor but continued to drift and was at risk of running aground.

The crew had notified watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic Command Center at 4:23 am local. Watchstanders requested the launch of the Coast Guard helicopter and issued an urgent marine information broadcast to alert all nearby vessels of the situation.

The helicopter crew arrived at the scene at 12:07 pm local and hoisted all three from the water. A Coast Guard video of the rescues shows the crewman attached to the hoist, descending from the helicopter cabin door for each survivor and then individually grasping one at a time, and holding him as both are hoisted back up to the helicopter.

After the hoist rescue of the crew, the Tsui continued to drift but then caught anchor east of Kayak Island. The owner is making arrangements to salvage the vessel.

The weather on the scene at the time was winds of 29mph, 15-foot seas, and air and water temperature of 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

FMI:  www.news.uscg.mil/