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Office of Public Affairs |
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| Date: Jan. 16, 2010 Contact: (907) 321-4176 Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally |
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Coast Guard coordinates rescue of three in Ugak Bay near Kodiak Island |
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Editors note: Please click on the images above to download high resolution photos, video and audio. KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of three mariners on the 32-foot fishing vessel Butterfly, homeported in Homer, after the crew reported their vessel was taking on water about a mile off Gull Point in Ugak Bay near Kodiak Island Saturday. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage Command Center watchstanders received a mayday call at about 11:24 a.m. via VHF-FM channel 16 from the Butterfly's crew stating they needed assistance and the vessel's dewatering pumps were not keeping up with the flooding. The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast. The good Samaritan crew on the fishing vessel Tempest responded to the UMIB and arrived on scene to assist the Butterfly. A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched and once on scene lowered a dewatering pump to the Butterfly. The Coast Guard Cutters Acushnet and Roanoke Island diverted to the Butterfly's location to assist as needed. The Roanoke Island was released from the case since the Acushnet arrived on scene first. The Tempest towed the Butterfly to Old Harbor on Kodiak Island and arrived safely about 5 p.m. Saturday. The Acushnet escorted the vessels to the harbor. The Butterfly's crew reported the flooding is under control but the source of the flooding is unknown. It is reported there is no evidence of pollution. The Coast Guard would like to remind mariners to ensure the vessels have the proper emergency equipment on board and to file a float plan with family and friends. All mariners should shift to using GPS systems due to the upcoming Loran-C signal termination. The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet is a 213-foot Diver Class Cutter homeported out of Ketchikan. |
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