KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard and Sitka Mountain Rescue located a missing boater and safely reunited him with his family in Sitka Sound Tuesday.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka located the 85-year-old man aboard his 32-foot fishing vessel Saltshaker and directed a Sitka Mountain Rescue small boat crew to his location to provide assistance.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders were contacted by the man’s son Tuesday evening who reported that his father hadn’t returned from a hunting trip after the two became separated.The Coast Guard directed the launch of the helicopter crew and requested that Sitka Mountain Rescue deploy a boat crew to assist with the search.

“This case highlights the importance of working with our partner agencies to help people in distress,” said Lt. j.g. James Dooley, command duty officer, Coast Guard Sector Juneau. “Our helicopter crew was able to locate the man and guided the boat crew in to provide assistance.”

The Coast Guard encourages all mariners to file a detailed float plan with friends, family members or their local harbormaster and to take weather appropriate safety gear with them when leaving port. Weather conditions in the search area were reported as an air temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit and winds of 16 mph.

Source: USCG