KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued five stranded seal hunters 29 miles north of the native village of Kotlik near Norton Sound early Friday.
The 17th Coast Guard District command center received the a call for assistance from concerned individuals in Kotlik about the five hunters at 8:50 p.m. Thursday. The Kotlik Civilian Search and Rescue team was unable to reach the hunters due to thinning ice between the hunters and the rescue party.
The seal hunting party, consisting of four adults and one minor, were reportedly hunting for 36 hours and had run out of food and water. The rescue crew flew more than 540 miles from Kodiak and arrived on scene approximately 4:30 a.m. After safely hoisting the hunters aboard the rescue helicopter, the rescue crew delivered the hunters to Kotlik in good condition.
On scene weather conditions were winds at 15 mph and an air temperature of 24 degrees.
