JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard Cutter Liberty crew located a missing Coast Guardsman waving his arms on the northern shoreline in Bakewell Arm 30 miles east of Ketchikan Sunday at 6:50 a.m.
Lt. Andrew Hoag, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Naushon, left on a hunting trip with two friends and did not return to camp Friday night as expected. A fellow hunter departed the camp Saturday morning to reach an area where communications are possible and placed a Mayday call. The call was received by a vessel in the area and reported to the Alaska State Troopers who notified the Coast Guard.
Several members of the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Service rescue squad were transported by a Temsco helicopter from the Ketchikan area. The Coast Guard Cutter Liberty was diverted from a routine patrol. Once on scene they began transporting rescue workers to and from the search area as well as conducting comprehensive shore line searches.
Hoag is reportedly in good condition and scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan aboard Liberty about 12 p.m.
The Alaska State Troopers coordinated the search with the Coast Guard, Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Service and Sitka Mountain Rescue.
“The Alaska State Troopers did an excellent job coordinating while rescue teams provided a quick response,” said Capt. Melissa Bert, commander Coast Guard Sector Juneau, “My sincerest thanks to everyone involved in the search.”
Weather conditions for Saturday night in the area where Hoag was rescued was a low of 56 degrees and light rain.
The Liberty is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Auke Bay, Alaska.
The Naushon is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Ketchikan, Alaska
