Four rescued from sinking vessel in Gulf of Alaska

A US Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued four people from a sinking vessel in the Gulf of Alaska on Friday, August 1.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command centre in Juneau received a report at approximately 10:17 local time that the 110-foot (34-metre) tug Sea Ranger was taking on water 130 miles (200 kilometres) south of Cordova.

Watchstanders directed the launch of an HC-130 Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak to respond. The aircrew located the vessel at approximately 13:08 and established communications with the latter's crew.

The vessel crew reported they were not in distress. The aircrew then delivered a de-watering pump to the vessel and returned to the air station.

At 15:57, coast guard watchstanders received another report from the vessel's crew stating they were adrift, had smoke in the engine room, were taking on water, and were unable to start their de-watering pumps.

Watchstanders then directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and an HC-130 Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak. At approximately 19:42, the helicopter aircrew arrived on scene and hoisted all four individuals from the vessel.

The survivors were taken to awaiting emergency medical services in Cordova for evaluation where no medical concerns were reported.

The rescue, "resulted in the best possible outcome," given the remote location in the gulf, according to Lieutenant Evan Sutton, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard Arctic District.

"These mariners were well-equipped and demonstrated the importance of having appropriate life-saving and communications equipment on hand such as liferafts, survival suits, and long-range distress communication devices," said Sutton.