KODIAK, Alaska – An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and two good Samaritan vessels assisted the 44-foot fishing vessel Abby Louise more than 7 miles southwest of Cordova early Saturday.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received a call at 11:17 p.m. from a good Samaritan vessel, Miss Emily, via VHF radio reporting the Abby Louise was sinking with three people aboard. Sector Anchorage watchstanders directed the launch of the Jayhawk crew, forward deployed to Cordova, to assist the Abby Louise’s three crewmembers.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 12:16 a.m. and lowered a dewatering pump. The Jayhawk crew flew to Cordova to get two more pumps and flew back to the scene delivering the two pumps to the fishermen at 12:30 a.m.
The second good Samaritian vessel, Lady Samantha, took the fishermen aboard at about 12:49 a.m. and delivered the three fishermen to Cordova. There were no injuries reported.
There are reportedly 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board the Abby Louise however no pollution has been reported in the area. Marine Safety Unit Valdez personnel will investigate the incident and work with the owner of the Abby Louise to remove the fuel and salvage the vessel.
Sector Anchorage watchstanders issued a broadcast notice to mariners about the Abby Louise being a potential hazard to navigation.
The weather at the time of the incident reported as overcast with rain, 15 mph winds and one-foot seas.
