JUNEAU, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew safely hoisted two people off the 34-foot gill netter, John Henry, homeported in Homer, after it started taking on water in Central Cook Inlet Thursday around 8 p.m.
Eric Olsen and Leah Lansdowne, ages and hometown unknown, made a radio call reporting they were taking on water which was relayed by the crew of the Shadow Line to the Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center.
However, when the Coast Guard crews arrived on scene they were no longer in distress utilizing pumps and making their way back to Homer. The Coast Guard proceeded to the vessel Gizmo also reportedly taking on water near Kalgin Island.
Shortly after the Gizmo case was resolved and determined Coast Guard support was not needed, the Coast Guard was notified by the master of the John Henry reporting their vessel was sinking. The Coast Guard immediately diverted a Jayhawk along with a C-130 Hercules aircraft to their location. Once on scene the Coast Guard hoisted the two crewmembers prior to the vessel capsizing.
Olsen and Lansdowne were reported in good condition, taken to Homer and didn’t request medical assistance.
An overflight of the capsized vessel is scheduled to be conducted by a Hercules aircraft to determine if the vessel has sank and any possible pollution in that area.
Throughout the night, the Coast Guard responded to four different vessels requesting Coast Guard assistance including the vessels Indigo and C Gull. No other rescues were needed.
Weather on scene was 15 mph winds, 3-foot seas and good visibility.
