Third from left is Lt. Jeffrey Mistrick, co-pilot for the case, far right is Andrew Burgard, aviation survival technician, and second from right is Bradley Dunn, flight mechanic. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Lizzy Klynman, aircraft commander for the case.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard assisted three men after their engine failed and boat ran aground Saturday in Puget Bay, Alaska.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak landed on scene, helped the men off the 25-foot boat and brought them to Seward.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center in Anchorage received the request for help from the men at about 5 p.m. They reported getting wet due to being aground in the surf, with one man aboard with preexisting medical concerns.
The Coast Guard was deterred from requesting assistance from other mariners in the area due to heavy swell conditions in Puget Bay.
“These men were very well prepared for the worst,” said Lt. Lizzy Klynman, aircraft commander for the case. “In addition to extensive survival gear, they had a radio and lights so we were able to talk to them and locate them very easily. Situations like this can happen to even the best prepared mariners. Being prepared improves the chances of making it home when things go wrong.”
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