KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard and the crew of the fishing vessel Katherine assisted three men aboard a vessel taking on water in Shelikof Strait near Kodiak Wednesday. 

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Roanoke Island is escorting the 67-foot fishing vessel Jeanoah to the port of Kodiak.

Coast Guard watchstanders in the Sector Anchorage command center received a distress call from the Jeanoah’s master who reported the vessel had struck a rock and was taking on water approximately 40 miles west of Kodiak. Sector Anchorage personnel issued an urgent marine information broadcast, requested the launch of an MH-65 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak and directed the crew of the Roanoke Island to the scene.

A Coast Guard rescue and assistance team from the Roanoke Island and a rescue swimmer delivered dewatering pumps and boarded the vessel to conduct temporary repairs while the crew of the Katherine towed the vessel into safer waters. After the repairs were made and Coast Guard personnel ensured the vessel was seaworthy, the helicopter crew returned to Kodiak and the crew of the Roanoke Island began its escort.  

“This a classic example of a well executed Coast Guard rescue,” said Lt. Matthew Mitchell, Sector Anchorage command duty officer. “The expertise demonstrated by the crews of the Roanoke Island and our Jayhawk helicopter crew, along with assistance from the crew of the Katherine, are a testament to the importance of proper training and preparation.” 

The weather on scene at the time of the incident was reported to be calm.  The escort of the Jeanoah and its crew to Kodiak is expected to take 12-15 hours.    

  Alaska, At Sea, Coast Guard, jeanoah, kathering, Kodiak, rescue, roanoke, rock, water