On Saturday afternoon, about 3:20 pm, as Alaska State Troopers and NOAA Fisheries Officers were conducting a joint enforcement operation in Homer Boat Harbor, a report came in of an overturned skiff with three individuals in the water about three miles southwest of the Homer Spit.

The NOAA Fisheries Officer and two troopers immediately got underway aboard the Patrol Vessel Augustine to the area of the accident. In the meantime, the persons that called in the incident, Jack and Bonnie Porter of Homer, continued to the area to rendr assistance.

Two more vessels responded to the scene as well, a UAF research vessel operated by Hans Pederson and the fishing vessel Elma Jo.

As the p/v Augustine continued to the position of the accident, the good samaritans fished the three boaters from the water and loaded them into the Porter’s vessel, after which they were transferred over to the UAF research vessel.

By this time, the Augustine met up with the vessels and escorted the UAF vessel to the Homer Harbor where the three survivors of the marine mishap were delivered to an awaiting ambulance and taken to the South Peninsula Hospital for treatment of moderate to severe hypothermia.

The three boaters, identified as 60-year-old Keith Hediger of Homer, his son, 26-year-old Adam Hediger of New Jersey, and 64-year-old Michael Huff of Ninilchik, were wearing life jackets and were in the water for 25 to 30 minutes.

Alaska State Troopers credited the reporting of the accident and quick response of the three vessels with saving the lives of the three boaters, without which, troopers say the incident would have likely turned fatal.

The three unlucky mariners have since been released from the hospital.