A large wave hit a 587-foot Liberian-flagged vessel traveling in the Gulf of Alaska 500 miles to the south of Kodiak on Sunday afternoon,  injuring three of its crew in the process. The Coast Guard was contacted by the vessel to report the injuries sustained by three of its crew and the Coast Guard directed the vessel to sail towards Kodiak in order that the helo crews would have time on scene to make the multiple hoists. By Monday, after altering course, the vessel had traveled to approximately 200 miles to the south of Kodiak Island as the Coast Guard maintained contact with the vessel.

An Hercules C-130 and two Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawks were deployed from Kodiak to meet up with the cargo vessel “Copacabana.” Two rescue swimmers, a flight surgeon, and a health services technician were lowered to the vessel during the operation. The three injured crewmen, along with the four Coast Guard personnel,  were hoisted aboard the MH-60 Jayhawks and transported to Kodiak where they received initial care before being further transported via LifeMed Alaska jet to Anchorage for further treatment.