Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley returns home after 40-day, 5,000-mile patrol

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings. 

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby.

KODIAK, Alaska — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak Sunday, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.

Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings.

The crew also conducted law enforcement operations during the opening of the 2019 Red King Crab season and participated in several search and rescue cases. Most notably, Alex Haley’s onboard helicopter crew medically evacuated a crewmember from fishing vessel Alaska Victory after he was exposed to a release of toxic ammonia refrigerant Sept. 28.

A crewmember aboard a 26-foot over-the-horizon boat prepares to come alongside Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 30) while underway in the Bering Sea. Alex Haley’s crew returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings.

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby

Midway through the patrol, Alex Haley visited the remote community of St. Paul, Alaska, where crewmembers conducted a clean-up of a local lakefront and met with community elders. These events helped strengthen one of the many outstanding partnerships between the U. S. Coast Guard and local Alaskan communities.

“This patrol is my first aboard Alex Haley and my first in the Bering Sea,” said Cmdr. Benjamin Golightly, Alex Haley’s commanding officer. “After a long period in homeport, which included major dockside repairs, the crew did an outstanding job transitioning back into the demanding routine of operations at sea.”

“The opportunity to patrol the Bering Sea during the highly visible Red King Crab season was tremendously rewarding anduniquely challenging,” continued Golightly. “Between the rapid operational pace of fisheries boardings, the notorious unpredictability of the weather, and the fact that search and rescue cases can occur at any time, there was no shortage of challenges to be met by the crew. However, through their perseverance, high spirits, and unwavering dedication to service, Alex Haley's crewmembers exemplified professionalism and operational excellence in all they did. The product of their efforts can clearly be seen in the success we had this patrol.”

A small boat from Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) underway following a fisheries law enforcement and safety boarding in the Bering Sea. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC 39) returned to their homeport in Kodiak, Oct. 20, 2019, following a 40-day deployment throughout the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Since departing Kodiak in September, the crew patrolled 5,000 miles and conducted 13 at-sea boardings. U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Ensign Richard Zogby.

Alex Haley is a 282-foot Medium Endurance Cutter that has been homeported in Kodiak since 1999, routinely operating throughout the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Pacific Ocean. The cutter’s ability to operate in extreme weather conditions provides the mission flexibility necessary to perform search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, and vessel safety inspections across Alaska. These operations occur under the tactical control of the 17th Coast Guard District in Juneau, which encompasses the entire state of Alaska, as well as the coastal and offshore waters seaward over several thousands of miles.

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Coast Guard boat crew, Ketchikan EMS medevac injured fisherman in Revillagigedo Channel, Alaska

A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew approaches the fishing vessel Lake Bay to medevac an injured 58-year-old man off the vessel in Revillagigedo Channel, 18 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2019. The Station Ketchikan crew was accompanied by Ketchikan emergency medical services personnel to assist the injured man while in transit. U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo by Sarah Hines.

KODIAK, Alaska - A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew medevaced an injured 58-year-old man off the fishing vessel Lake Bay in Revillagigedo Channel, 18 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska, Monday.

The boat crew and Ketchikan emergency medical services coordinated efforts to transfer the man from the small boat to Station Ketchikan. Ketchikan EMS further transported the man to Ketchikan Medical Center. The man was reported stable upon transfer.

Sector Juneau command center staff received notification via VHF-FM radio Channel 16 from the vessel's master that a crewmember aboard received a large laceration to his arm and required assistance. Sector issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Station Ketchikan boat crew with local EMS aboard to respond.​

"Today there was a situation involving an injured fisherman in need of an escort to a higher level of care," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Cody Mitchell, a coxswain on the case. "With the cooperation of multiple responding agencies, our boat crew was able to successfully medevac the injured man south of Bold Island to Ketchikan, even​ with the​ restricted visibility."

Weather on scene was dense fog with a visibility of 300 yards, southeast winds at 10 knots and seas of two feet.​

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