KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from forward operating location Cordova rescued two men from their 28-foot pleasure craft that ran aground in Day Harbor near Resurrection Bay Tuesday.
The helicopter crew hoisted the two men from the vessel, Baby Jane, at approximately 5:50 p.m., and took them 17 miles north to Seward. There were no reported injuries.
The case began at approximately 3:30 p.m. when watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Anchorage were notified by the operator of the vessel that they were being forced toward the rocky shore by the weather and required assistance. The watchstanders directed the launch of the helicopter a short time later.
“Having a helicopter that was forward deployed in Cordova from Air Station Sitka allowed us to respond quickly to this request for help,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Brady, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. “The Coast Guard forward deploys helicopter crews throughout the state seasonally to reduce response times during periods of increased maritime activity in those regions.”
The weather at the time of the grounding was reported as 17 to 28 mph winds with 3-foot seas. The owner will attempt to recover the vessel Wednesday.