(KODIAK, Alaska) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people from a sinking tugboat Friday in the Gulf of Alaska.
Watch standers at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center in Juneau received a report at 10:17 a.m. that the 110-foot Sea Ranger was taking on water 130 miles south of Cordova.
Watch standers directed the launch of an HC-130 Super Hercules air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak to respond.
The air crew located the vessel at 1:08 p.m. and established communications with the crew.
The vessel crew reported they were not in distress. The air crew delivered a dewatering pump to the vessel and returned to the air station.
At 3:57 p.m., Coast Guard watch standers received another report from the tug stating they were adrift, had smoke in the engine room, were taking on water, and were unable to start their dewatering pumps.
Watch standers directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew and an HC-130 Super Hercules air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.
At 7:42 p.m., the helicopter air crew arrived on scene and hoisted all four individuals from the vessel. They were taken to awaiting emergency medical services in Cordova for evaluation. No medical concerns were reported.
“Given its remote location in the Gulf of Alaska, this challenging rescue resulted in the best possible outcome and demonstrated the dedication and professionalism of Coast Guard air crews,” said Lt. 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 lifesaving and communications equipment on hand such as life rafts, survival suits, and long-range distress communication devices.”
– U.S. Coast Guard
