KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard rescued two people Sunday after they were reported overdue near Whittier.
Derbin and Susan Hobbs were aboard a 16-foot white Bay Runner that departed Whitier Saturday for a shrimp fishing trip. When they didn’t return as scheduled a concerned individual notified the Coast Guard.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Air Station Kodiak Sunday to search for an overdue vessel in Cochrane Bay. After searching the area the vessel was spotted on Esther Island, north east of Whittier. The Coast Guard found the couple on a nearby beach.
The air crew safely hoisted the couple into the helicopter and transported them to the Whittier Air Port where they were met by local EMS for examination.
The Coast Guard recommends all mariners file a float plan before leaving port.
A float plan is a written statement of the details of an intended voyage usually filed with a friend, neighbor and/or marina operator.
If a vessel has an emergency or is overdue, pertinent information will be available to provide local marine police or the Coast Guard. Mariners should be sure to “close out” a float plan to avoid an unnecessary and costly search. An example of a float plan is provided at the following link. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/saf_float.htm
