KODIAK, Alaska — Coast Guard Station Valdez crewmembers assisted five boaters whose 20-ft aluminum skiff became disabled after running out of fuel early Friday morning in the Port of Valdez.
Station Valdez crewmembers took the disabled vessel in tow and returned to the small boat harbor in Valdez.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received notification that a skiff was disabled, out of fuel and drifting toward Valdez’s main shipping channel. Watchstanders requested the launch of a station Valdez boat crew.
The rescue crew located the disabled vessel and towed the boaters safely back to Valdez where they conducted a post search-and-rescue boarding and issued violations for insufficient personal flotation devices and for operating without registration on board.
“Before getting your vessel underway, always make sure the vessel has the required safety equipment on board and your fuel tanks are topped off,” said Lt. j.g. Victoria Swinghamer, public affairs officer, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage. “And always ensure you have a life jacket for every single passenger on your vessel.”
Federal regulations require all recreational boats to carry one serviceable personal flotation device of the correct size for each person aboard the vessel. For more information on recreational boating safety visit http://ift.tt/1B1TxGp.
