KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard responded to seven passengers experiencing rough seas aboard the 29-foot fishing vessel Analise off Rocky Point on the east side of Togiak Bay, Saturday.

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely embarked a woman and four children for transport to Togiak. A good Samaritan in an 18-foot skiff took the two remaining passengers, a man and his son, for transport to Togiak.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received a mayday call via VHF radio that a family of seven were aboard the Analise when the vessel began taking on water. The family informed the watchstanders that they were abandoning Analise for an 18-foot skiff they were towing, and were heading towards shore but did not have a radio aboard.

The watchstanders transferred the case to Coast Guard 17^th District command center who issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and a Jayhawk crew. The good Samaritan launched in response to the UMIB to assist in the search for the family.

The Hercules crew arrived on scene first and reported that the family was safely on shore and was in good health. Once the Jayhawk crew arrived on scene, they landed on the beach and embarked the five passengers, and the Hercules crew stayed on scene to provide communications and escort for the good Samaritan and the two remaining family members.

“Weather in Alaska can be unpredictable,” said Lt. j.g. Alaina Fagan, Coast Guard 17^th District command center watchstander. “It’s imperative boaters are ready for any eventuality by ensuring they have the proper equipment aboard such as life jackets for each passenger and multiple forms of communication.”  

Weather at the time of the incident was reported as 5 to 7-foot waves, 27 mph winds and 7 miles visibility.

  Alaska, Coast Guard, rocky point, sinking, togiak