Coast Guard rescues 7 and dog near Haines, Alaska

The Coast Guard rescues seven people and a dog stranded on a sandbar after a their boat capsized in the Chilkat River near Haines, Saturday. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka landed on the sandbar, picked up the survivors and brought them to the Haines Airport where they were placed in the care of Haines EMS. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Sitka

HAINES, Alaska​ — The Coast Guard rescued seven people and a dog stranded on a sandbar after a their boat capsized in the Chilkat River near Haines, Saturday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka landed on the sandbar approximately 7 miles northwest of Haines, picked up the survivors and brought them to the Haines Airport where they were placed in the care of Haines EMS shortly after midnight.

Watchstanders in the Coast Guard 17th District command center in Juneau received the request for helicopter support from the Alaska State Troopers at about 10 p.m. The stranded boaters initially contacted AST via a satellite communication device that doubled as a GPS. The boaters indicated they were wet and cold.

“We were able to​ rapidly locate the group​ because they were carrying a device that allowed them to call for help and provide their exact location,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Plunkett, air craft commander for the case. 

“With air temperatures in the low 30s yesterday, this device​ likely​ saved their lives. This is a great example of how a sunny day in Alaska can quickly turn into survival situation. I’m thankful they were prepared and the conditions permitted us to help them out.”

No injuries were reported.

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Coast Guard assists ASTs to locate overdue hiker on Inian Island, Alaska

MH-60 Jayhawk (helicopter shot from Kodiak) ©USCG (archive)

KODIAK- A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located an overdue, 21-year-old female hiker on Inian Island, Alaska, Tuesday. 

The Jayhawk aircrew safely located the woman at approximately 11:43 p.m. and transported her to Sitka for further care. She was reported to be mildly hypothermic and disoriented, but otherwise in good condition. 

Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders received an agency assist request from the Alaska State Troopers to search for the missing female hiker. She was reported to have been last seen wearing hiking boots, gray sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She departed her cabin located in Hobbit Hole for a thirty minute to one-hour hike with no means of communication. AST’s began a ground search Tuesday at approximately 10:00 a.m.. District 17 Command Center granted the Sector Juneau request and launched an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to search with forward-looking infrared radar technology to conduct an extended shoreline search.

"This case had a great outcome and it serves as a recurring reminder how easy it is for people to get disoriented in Southeast Alaska's rugged environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Condon, an Air Station Sitka Aircraft Commander on the case. “Even a thirty minute hike can turn into an eight hour ordeal. When we venture outside in Southeast Alaska, we should be prepared for the elements, be informed about our surroundings, and have a way to communicate if something unexpected happens."

Weather on scene was clear with no wind in the area, and an air temperature ranging from 37 to 44 degrees.

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