The Coast Guard and good Samaritans rescued four people after their vessel capsized about two nautical miles northeast of Chiniak Island, Alaska in January.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders said that they received a report over VHF channel 16 at about 4:31 p.m. Jan. 21 from the crew of Alaska Rose, a 46-foot fishing vessel, stating that they were taking on water.
An urgent marine information broadcast was issued on VHF channel 16 and a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew deployed.
The helicopter aircrew arrived on scene at about 4:56 p.m. and located one person on the overturned vessel, hoisting and transferring the individual to Air Station Kodiak, where local EMS waited, the Guard said in a Jan 22 news release.
The crew of Good Samaritan vessel Kylia arrived on scene at about 5:02 p.m. and rescued three others from the water. The crew transferred the victims to Kodiak where they also were met by local EMS.
“I wholeheartedly thank the good Samaritans involved,” said Lt. Madeline Romito, Sector Anchorage command duty officer. “The quick response between them and the helicopter crew played a major role in the positive outcome of this case.”
Weather conditions at the time of the rescues included 30-knot winds and 8-foot seas, according to the Coast Guard.
As of early February, the cause of the incident remained under investigation.