The U.S. Coast Guard cite the use of personal locator beacon by one of two kayakers that lead to the successful conclusion of a USCG search and rescue mission in southeast Alaska on Saturday.

Watchstanders at the 17th District Command Center picked up the signal from a personal locator beacon on Saturday. The signal sent by a kayaker that had gotten separated from his companion in deteriorating weather near Chichagof Island.

The information was relayed to Sector Juneau, and dual MH-60 Jayhawk choppers were launched out of Sitka to take up the search.

The twin Jayhawks located both kayakers and conducted hoists, transporting the two to Sitka.

“This is a great example of the importance of having a personal locator beacon on you when participating in activities on Alaska’s waters,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Jared Buchmiller, 17^th District watchstander.   “The kayakers realized their situation had the potential of becoming dangerous and became proactive so rescuers could reach them before their situation worsened.”[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]

  17th district, chichagof island, Coast Guard, epirb, hoist, jayhawk, juneau, kayakers, personal locator beacon, rescue, sitka, weather