KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued four fishermen from the fishing vessel Savannah Ray after they ran aground in Chiniak Bay near Kodiak Island, Alaska, Monday morning.
The helicopter crew hoisted the four fishermen from their grounded vessel and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services in Kodiak.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert from the Savannah Ray early Monday morning. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders began making callouts for the vessel to determine if they were in need of assistance and received a broken MAYDAY from crewmembers aboard Savannah Ray stating they had run aground with four people aboard and were donning their survival suits and had deployed their liferaft.
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak launched the Jayhawk helicopter crew to the grounded vessel, where they were able to safely hoist the fishermen.
“This rescue highlights how critical it is to have a registered 406 EPIRB onboard when operating a vessel of any size,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Sheean, watchstander, Sector Anchorage. “During an emergency, especially in the cold waters of Alaska, it’s important for responders to immediately know that an event has occurred and the location of your vessel.”
The weather at the time of the rescue was reported as 51 mph winds with 11-foot seas.
