KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew assisted the crew of the fishing vessel Alaskan Pride after they began taking on water in Izhut Bay near Kodiak Island, Thursday.
The Jayhawk crew lowered a dewatering pump to the crew of the fishing vessel, which allowed them to control the onboard flooding and proceed to port in Kodiak.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a report from the crew aboard the 35-foot fishing vessel Alaskan Pride that their vessel had a possible puncture in its bow and requested Coast Guard assistance once their pumps could no longer keep up with the flooding. The Jayhawk crew responded and delivered the dewatering pump.
Watchstanders maintained a 15 minute communication schedule with the Alaskan Pride as the vessel was escorted by a good Samaritan vessel to Kodiak.
“The capability of our aircrews to transport dewatering pumps to vessels at sea can often prevent a small problem from turning into a life-or-death situation,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Yates, watchstander, Sector Anchorage. “Mariners should always be proactive and notify the Coast Guard immediately if an emergency occurs.”
Weather on scene was reported as 5-foot seas and 17 mph winds.
