Coast Guard medevacs man from fishing vessel near Uganik Bay, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Pigage (archive).

KODIAK, Anchorage— The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 56-year-old man from a fishing vessel near​ Uganik Bay, Alaska, Saturday.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Kodiak hoisted the crewman from fishing vessel​ Caiti Jo​ and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak at​ 7:00​ p.m.​

Watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage command center received notification at 4:42​ p.m. that a crewman aboard the vessel was experiencing stoke-related symptoms. A​ ​ Coast Guard duty flight surgeon was consulted and a medevac recommended. The command center launched the Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Kodiak.​ ​

Weather on scene was clear visibility with 17 mph winds and one foot seas.

-USCG-

Coast Guard suspends search for person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Alaska

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews searched in approximately 650 square miles a fishing man from the Pail Rider vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Kodiak (archive).

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Monday.

Two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews and a C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak searched approximately 650 square miles over the course of more than ten hours for a male crew member from the commercial fishing vessel Pail Rider who went overboard at approximately 3 a.m.

The search was suspended at approximately 4 p.m.

"Despite our very best effort today along with about 10 fishing boat crews who helped us search, we were not able to locate the man who went overboard this morning,"​ said Ray Dwyer, Coast Guard 17th District command duty officer for the case. “After an exhaustive effort, the difficult decision was made to suspend.”

-USCG-

Coast Guard Cordova FOL crew saves 66-year-old man stranded for three days on Montague Island, Alaska

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew, forward-deployed to Cordova, poses with a man they rescued after he was stranded for three days on Montague Island near Cordova, Alaska, June 13, 2019. The man exponentially increased his own rate of survival by donning a properly sealed survival suit while being stranded in a remote portion of Alaska. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Palen.

KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward-deployed to Cordova, rescued a 66-year-old man stranded for three days on Montague Island, Alaska, Thursday.

​

The man was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Cordova for further care. He was reported to have been dehydrated but was in stable condition upon transfer.

​

At approximately 6 a.m., Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received notification from a Good Samaritan vessel of people reported to have been seen in survival suits on the rocks near the southern tip of Montague Island, Alaska.

​

After the Good Samaritan vessel was unable to establish contact or get to the people, District issued an urgent marine information broadcast and granted the use of an Air Station Kodiak Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Valdez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew to assist with the search.

​

Once on scene, an aviation survival technician deployed to the beach from the helicopter and confirmed one person was in a survival suit on the island. The aircrew hoisted the man from Montague Island beach and transported him to Cordova for higher-level care.

​

After speaking with the survivor, it was reported he was stranded for three days on the island after his vessel struck a rock and sank quickly near Montague Island.

​

“This case is exactly why having all available survival equipment on hand is an absolute necessity in Alaska,” said Lt. j.g. Angella Thuotte, a Sector Anchorage command duty officer. “With the severe temperature drops, even in the summer, preparation increases the likelihood of survivability.”

​

Weather on scene was 5-foot seas and calm winds.

​

-USCG-

Coast Guard searching for unconfirmed persons in the water east of Whittier, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charly Hengen (archive).

ANCHORAGE, Alaska​ — The Coast Guard is searching Monday for unconfirmed persons in the water after a small boat with nobody aboard was found adrift east of Whittier.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Anchorage are trying to track down the owner of a 10-foot, blue and gray Zodiak that was found adrift in Passage Canal containing cat food, presumably for shrimp bait, along with other fishing gear, line and oars.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak, a response boat crew from Station Valdez and an Auxiliary crew out of Whittier to search for potential persons in the water associated with the boat.

No distress has been reported to the Coast Guard.

"We're responding as though there is a person or people in the water who fell out of this boat and need our help," said Mike McNeil, command duty officer at Sector Anchorage. "Anyone with information about this boat, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center immediately at 907-428-4100."

The boat does not have a motor and there are no identifying numbers on the hull.

It was first reported to the Coast Guard at approximately 7:30 a.m.

​

-USCG-

Coast Guard rescues overdue ATV riders on Kodiak Island

Survivors reunite with their families after a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew lands at Air Station Kodiak, April 28, 2019. The two men were located and rescued by the helicopter crew after the men became stranded during an all-terrain vehicle excursion on the island. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Kodiak.

KODIAK, Alaska​ — The Coast Guard rescued two men Sunday after they became stranded during an all-terrain vehicle trip on Kodiak Island.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak located the men after detecting their heat signatures inside a cabin near Saltery Cove. As the helicopter approached the cabin, the crew could see smoke rising from the chimney and the word “HELP” spilled out with driftwood in the cabin’s driveway.

Alaska State Troopers requested aerial support from the Coast Guard Sunday morning after a family member reported the men overdue to return from an ATV excursion.

The Coast Guard searched in low visibility for several hours and managed to locate the men’s ATVs, before returning to the air station to refuel. After refueling, they headed back out and began to double check some of the places they’d already looked, which included numerous cabins near the abandoned ATVs.

The helicopter crew used a forward looking infrared camera on the helicopter to look for human heat signatures. They found the men in a cabin they’d already checked earlier in the day.

The crew landed in a grassy area about 300 yards from the cabin and took the men aboard. The men stated that one ATV had broken down and the other had become stuck in the mud. They were experiencing the early stages of hypothermia and decided to use the cabin to start a fire and get warm.

"These men did exactly what anyone facing hypothermia should do," said Lt. Jack Shadwick, co-pilot for the case. "They found the closest logical option to warm themselves quickly, and they found a way to attract the attention of search crews. We were happy to be able to assist the Alaska State Troopers and bring these men home to their families."

-USCG-

Coast Guard demobilizes St. Paul, Cold Bay, Alaska, forward operating locations

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charly Hengen (archive).

KODIAK, Alaska​ — Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrews demobilized forward operating locations in St. Paul and Cold Bay, March 15, concluding the supplemental coverage of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Chain.

The aircrews deployed on two-week rotations to increase readiness and decrease response times to the Bering Sea fishing fleet during periods of increased maritime activity.

​

Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews deployed to Cold Bay from Oct. 20 to Nov. 20, 2018, and then again from Jan. 15 to Feb. 19, 2019. Aircrews​ later deployed to St. Paul from Feb. 17 to March 15, 2019, in support of Coast Guard operations in the Bering Sea to provide search and rescue and maritime law enforcement coverage.

​

In addition to​ the deployed Jayhawk aircrew,​ the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley, the Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro, and the Coast Guard Cutter John Midgett, with an an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew embarked, provided supplemental SAR support and maritime law enforcement coverage in the Bering Sea.

​

Throughout the three-month season,​ Coast Guard assets and crews​ conducted​ 24 SAR cases providing over​ 114 total SAR hours, resulting in 19 lives saved and​ 29 assisted.

​

Due to the fishing fleet moving further north in the Bering Sea, and to augment the Coast Guard cutter presence, Air Station Kodiak increased its readiness by deploying crews to St. Paul. Before re-opening the St. Paul FOL, it had been without a deployed crew since 2014.​

​

To meet mission requirements, aircrews performed 15 HC-130 Hercules airplane logistics flights, totaling​ more than​ 90 flight hours from Kodiak to St. Paul. While forward-deployed, St. Paul MH-60 aircrews responded to two cases, resulting in one life saved and five assisted.

​

“This has been a great Bering Sea deployment season, and as the fleet shifted further north, it was an all-hands-on-deck evolution to mobilize our crews and reopen our facility in St. Paul mid-season,” said Lt. Cmdr. Tom Huntley, Air Station Kodiak Jayhawk assistant operations officer. “This shift allowed us to maintain our search and rescue posture and protect our critical fishing industry, and it allowed us to be ready and responsive when called upon.”

​

Both FOLs are part of the Coast Guard's mobile presence, and as such, are focused on performing the services’ statutory missions to ensure maritime safety, security and stewardship throughout Alaska.

​

To follow the fishing fleet and to prepare for the projected increased summer maritime activity, Jayhawk​ aircrews are scheduled to deploy to FOLs in both Cordova and Kotzebue.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Lauren Dean (archive).

-USCG-

Coast Guard locates missing 74-year-old man near Haines, Alaska

MH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive)

KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located and hoisted a missing 74-year-old man from a heavily wooded area approximately 28 miles northwest of Haines, Alaska, Sunday.

The Jayhawk aircrew located the man near Walker Lake, hoisted and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Haines, Sunday afternoon. He was reported in good condition with no injuries.

The search for the missing man began late Saturday night and continued into Sunday as a coordinated effort between two Coast Guard aircrews, Alaska State Troopers personnel, and three canine search teams from Skagway, Juneau and the local Haines area. These federal and state agencies saturated the dense woods by land and air in efforts to locate the man.

“Hiking and navigating through the Alaskan wilderness can be extremely dangerous," said Chief Petty Officer Seth Caron, a District 17 command center operations specialist. “Always remember to carry a GPS, a map and tell someone where you are going before you head out on the trail, as it can save your life.”

Weather on scene was clear skies, 10 miles visibility and an air temperature of 54 degrees.

For the initial news release, click here.

-USCG-

Coast Guard Station Valdez rescues 2 men near Busby Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska

MH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive)

KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Station Valdez Response Boat-Medium boat crew rescued two men from the 21-foot pleasure cruiser Gaillea after it ran aground approximately six miles off Busby Island, in Prince William Sound, Alaska, Saturday morning.

A Station Valdez RB-M boat crew and several good Samaritan vessels coordinated efforts to transfer both men to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Valdez for further care. One man was reported to have sustained injuries, and the other man was reported to be in good condition.

Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received a mayday broadcast via VHF-FM Channel 16 from a 69-year-old man aboard the Gaillea reporting that the vessel had run aground near Busby Island and a 75-year-old man had fallen overboard. It was reported that he was able to swim to a rock on the shoreline, but was in need of further assistance.

In response to a flare shot from the Gaillea, several good Samaritan vessels responded to assist. The fishing vessel Fierce Leader crew arrived on scene, recovered the man aboard the Gaillea, and established a vessel tow with the Gaillea. Due to shoreline conditions, it was reported that they were unable to get close enough to recover the 75-year-old man on the shore.

Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders directed the launch of a Station Valdez RB-M boat crew and requested an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew, forward deployed in Cordova, to respond.

The Jayhawk aircrew stood by ready to assist on scene while the good Samaritan vessel Mary J crew used a skiff to recover the man from the shoreline. The Station Valdez boat crew arrived on scene with emergency medical services personnel aboard to evaluate the 75-year-old man for further transport to Valdez for higher medical care.

The fishing vessel Fierce Leader established a tow with the Gaillea and transported it back to Valdez. There were no reported signs of pollution.

“Being able to assist and respond with immediacy is key,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Echols, a Station Valdez machinery technician. “The coordination between the Coast Guard and the good Samaritan vessels to rescue these people is a tribute to the working relationship we’ve built within the Alaskan communities to let them know we are here to assist at a moment’s notice.”

Weather on scene was 9 mph winds, 9 miles visibility, 1-2 foot seas, and a water temperature of 55 degrees.

-USCG-

Coast Guard medevacs man from fishing vessel near Cordova, Alaska

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Charly Hengen

CORDOVA, AK, UNITED STATES

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew medevaced a 51-year-old man from the fishing vessel Devotion 34 miles southwest of Cordova, Alaska, Aug. 4, 2018. The man reportedly sustained a head injury then subsequently fell and needed a medevac to receive higher level medical care. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

KODIAK, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew medevaced a man from the fishing vessel Devotion 34 miles southwest of Cordova, Alaska, Saturday.

To better facilitate the hoist, a 51-year-old man from the Devotion was transferred to a nearby tug. The Jayhawk's aircrew safely hoisted the man and transported him to Cordova, where he was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a relay call from the charter vessel Dan Ryan crew requesting a medevac for the man aboard the Devotion. It was reported the man sustained a head injury and subsequently fell. Sector Anchorage watchstanders consulted a Coast Guard duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac.

"When we arrived to the scene, the fishing vessel was tied up to an offshore supply vessel, which made for a unique hoist," said Lt. Joe Chevalier, a Jayhawk pilot during the medevac. "Through the coordination of the duty flight surgeon, Sector Anchorage watchstanders and the Devotion crew, we were able to get the man to higher level care quickly."

Weather on scene was 15 mph winds, 2-foot seas, rain showers with a half-mile visibility.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Kodiak.

-USCG-

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak medevacs man from FV Nordic Cross

Video by U.S. Coast Guard District 17

KODIAK, AK, UNITED STATES

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew hoists a 47-year-old man from the fishing vessel Nordic Cross 20-miles north of Kodiak, Alaska, July 25, 2018. The man sustained a leg injury on the Nordic Cross and needed immediate medical care. U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Kodiak.

Photos by Petty Officer 1st Class Charly Hengen

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak member, Base Kodiak fire department personnel and City of Kodiak emergency medical personnel transfer a 47-year-old man to an awaiting ambulance at Air Station Kodiak, Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevaced a male crewmember from a fishing vessel in Duck Bay, near Kodiak, Alaska, Wednesday.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted the crewmember from the fishing vessel Nordic Cross and transported him to Kodiak where he was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received notification from the crew of the Nordic Cross, who reported a 47-year-old crewman was suffering from a leg injury. Watchstanders requested the launch of the Jayhawk crew for an immediate medevac.

"The Nordic Cross crew did a great job of clearing their fishing gear from the deck so we could conduct a safe basket hoist," said Lt. Joseph Chevalier, aircraft commander of the case. "With that and the adaptability and coordination of the rescue swimmer and health services technician in the Jayhawk's cabin, we were able to get this man to emergency care quickly and efficiently."

Weather on scene was reported as 5-mph winds and 2-ft seas.

-USCG-