ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center has monitored and coordinated 19 rescue and assist cases within the last 19 days, helping more than 52 people and saving more than $287,000 in property.
The 19 cases included more than 10 disabled vessels, one person reportedly with a broken leg and one reported overdue vessel.
Aug. 4, 2010, Sector Anchorage received a marine VFH radio call from the crew of the vessel Kakwik stating that they had six people aboard and were disabled and adrift. The command center immediately issued a marine assistance request broadcast requesting any mariners in the area to safely assist the Kakwik crew. The salvage vessel Redeemer which was working on salvaging the aground fishing vessel Cape Cross in Main Bay responded and towed the vessel back to Main Bay where the Kakwik crew was able to anchor for the night. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Station located in Whittier responded the next morning and safely towed the Kakwik crew from Main Bay to Whittier.
Aug. 3, 2010, Sector Anchorage received a distress broadcast from the crew of the 24-foot vessel HI-D stating they were taking on water and unable to keep up with the flooding. The command center immediately requested the launch of the search and rescue helicopter crew stationed in Cordova. The good Samaritan vessel Eye of the Storm and two other vessels immediately responded after hearing the broadcast for help by the crew of the HI-D. The Coast Guard helicopter crew returned to base after the Eye of the Storm had arrived on scene with the HI-D. The crew of the Eye of the Storm safely towed the HI-D to Whittier.
“In all of our cases we run, one of our most valuable tools is the marine assistance request broadcast,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Komrosky, Sector Anchorage watchstander. “It is not required for any mariner to help another mariner in distress but in many cases good Samaritans are nearby and quickly respond to the Coast Guard’s broadcast request for assistance.”
The Sector Anchorage command center is responsible for coordinating marine search and rescue cases across south-central Alaska. Sector Anchorage assisted 447 people and saved more than $9 million in property in 2009. Sector Anchorage is made up of more than 240 people, 30 reservist and 370 Coast Guard Auxiliary members.
