The fishing vessel "Neptune 1" put out a call for help at 11:21 pm, stating that they were disabled and adrift on the northwest side of Umnak Island Sunday.

The Neptune 1, a 58 foot fishing vessel, is Seattle based, and had a crew of three on board. They reported engine failure.

The call was received by the Coast Guard District 17 Command Center, and resources were deployed. A helicopter was deployed from Saint Paul, a C-130 was sent from Kodiak and the Cutter Alex Haley was diverted from its patrol near Dutch Harbor. The Fishing Vessel Alaska Enterprise also stood by to assist, relaying messages from the Neptune 1 to the rescue crews. The Alaska Enterprise also utilized their search lights to guide the responding aircrraft to the site of the Neptune 1.

As the vessel was drifting ashore, a decision was made by the crew of the disabled vessel to don their survival gear and enter the water to get to shore. They felt that staying aboard presented too much of a risk and would hamper rescue attempts. They also activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon prior to abandoning the craft. The vessel grounded at 11:46 pm.

“The crew of the Neptune 1 took all the right steps to ensure their successful rescue, including the activation of their emergency beacon,” said Raymond Dwyer, District 17 Command Duty Officer. “The communications and lighting assistance of the Alaskan Enterprise was also instrumental in the positive outcome of this case.”

An unknown quantity of fuel is onboard the stricken vessel and it is presently high and dry ashore.Coast Guard crews and the vessel owner intend to work together to minimize any environmental impacts the grounding may cause.

The weather reported at the time was Winds and blowing snow at 25-40 mph and 12 to 15 foot seas.