Coast Guard aircrew, good Samaritan boat crew medevac injured vessel captain northeast of Biorka Island, Alaska

An Mh-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka medevacs an injured vessel captain after he reportedly lacerated several fingers aboard a fish processing vessel northeast of Biorka Island, Alaska, July 20, 2019. Good Samaritans aboard the charter fishing vessel North River assisted by transporting the captain from his vessel to a nearby shore where he was transferred to the Jayhawk crew. U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Sitka.

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard aircrew and a good Samaritan boat crew medevaced a vessel captain after he was injured aboard a fish processing vessel northeast of Biorka Island, Saturday.

The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka transported the captain from shore near the vessel to the air station, where they transferred him to Sitka Fire Department emergency medical services for further care.

At 10.18 a.m. Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report from a vessel in the area that the captain of the fish processing vessel Northwind potentially severed several fingers. Around the same time the Jayhawk crew was conducting a training flight in the area, heard a request for help over VHF channel 16 and diverted to respond.

"It was great timing for everybody involved," said Lt. Justin Neal, co-pilot on the response. "We were maybe two minutes away and listening to channel 16 like we always do, somebody called out needing help and we were able to respond."

A good Samaritan crew aboard the charter fishing vessel North River took the captain from the Northwind onto their vessel, then transported him to shore where he was transferred to the Jayhawk crew that landed nearby.

"It was great that everybody was willing to help, and do what was required to get this person to a higher level of care," said Neal.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Kellen Browne (archive).

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Coast Guard rescues three people off William Henry Mountain in Alaska

MH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive)

JUNEAU, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew hoisted three people from William Henry Mountain, northwest of William Henry Bay in Lynn Canal Monday morning.

The two men and one woman were hoisted and brought to Juneau where no medical concerns were reported.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders received an agency assist request from the Alaska State Troopers Sunday evening stating three hunters were stranded on the mountain, in no immediate distress, but had exhausted their provisions.

Based on the lack of immediate distress, Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders determined it was safer to wait until first light Monday to conduct the rescue. The Jayhawk crew arrived in Juneau, embarked two Juneau Mountain Rescue members and proceeded to the scene. Upon arriving on scene, the Jayhawk crew determined it was safe to conduct a hoist and rescued all three people.

“Having the Juneau Mountain Rescue members aboard our helicopter allowed us the ability to lower them to provide assistance if we were unable to safely conduct the hoist,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Gee, Sector Juneau command watchstander. “It truly highlights the extent we and partner agencies go to ensure safety of all no matter what level of distress.”

Weather on scene was 30 mph winds and 3 miles visibility.

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