Coast Guard Assists Fishing Vessel Aground Near Kodiak, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew assisted the 50-foot fishing vessel, Neptune, that ran aground and was taking on water near Raspberry Island Thursday.

The Neptune was refloated at high tide, and the good Samaritan vessel Tempest towed it safely to Kodiak.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a report at 1:40 a.m. from the Neptune crew stating they ran aground and were taking on water. Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast for assistance from any nearby mariners and requested the launch of the helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak.

The helicopter crew arrived on scene, delivered a dewatering pump and stood by as the Neptune crew began dewatering the vessel.

Three good Samaritan vessels, the Tempest, Silver Star and Arctic Dawn, answered the UMIB and proceeded to the Neptune’s location.

When the first dewatering pump began to have difficulties, the helicopter crew lowered a second pump to the Neptune crew to help contain the flooding.

The Neptune crew patched a reported 8-by-3-inch hole in the vessel and refloated the vessel at high tide.

“We are grateful for the help good Samaritans provide to distressed mariners during emergencies,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jacques Castro, a Sector Anchorage watchstander. “We have a large operating area with extremely dangerous weather conditions in Alaska, and good Samaritans provide an extra level of safety on our waterways.”