Five people were rescued from a fishing vessel that was taking on water near Umnak Island, Alaska, U.S.A. on 2 April, according to a release by the U.S. Coast Guard, which confirmed zero injuries were reported.
“The successful rescue of five individuals from the fishing vessel Ocean Bay is a direct result of the integrated and highly professional efforts of our personnel,” Chief Petty Officer and Command Duty Officer at the Arctic District Command Center Alex Washington said in the release. “This operation emphasizes the effectiveness of our coordinated search and rescue capabilities and our unwavering commitment to preserving life at sea.”
The incident was reported by the crew onboard the Ocean Bay around 4:45 a.m. to personnel at the Coast Guard Arctic District Command Center in Juneau, the release said.
“Watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak,” the release said. “Watchstanders also diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) crew and transmitted an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify mariners the area of the situation.”
Good Samaritan vessel Seafreeze Alaska, Hercules aircrew, and Waesche crew all aided the Ocean Bay fishing vessel team with communication to command centers until a helicopter could arrive on scene at 11:15 a.m. to airlift fishermen onboard to an emergency medical center in Dutch Harbor. Prior to rescue, the Ocean Bay crew were able to locate the source of flooding, stop it, and remove the collecting water on board.
The U.S. Coast Guard said Resolve Marine will oversee the remaining salvage operations of Ocean Bay, as the reported 18-meter vessel remains on land on the northern shoreline of Umnak Island.
