Coast Guard saves fishing vessel from sinking

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Sunday, October 25th, 2020 8:46am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

USCG cutter John McCormick courtesy of USCG Sector Juneau.

Valdez, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau rescued the Elise Marie about 160 nautical miles south of Valdez after the vessel became disabled and started taking on water.

A C-130 Hercules airplane, a helicopter, and the cutter John McCormick contributed to the rescue.

An Air Station Kodiak Hercules aircrew established communications with the Elise Marie while an Air Station Sitka MH-60 helicopter crew was underway to deliver a dewatering pump. The helicopter lowered down the pump to the Elise Marie and the boat's crew was able to use it to keep up with the flooding while they waited for help. 

"When we arrived on the scene, the vessel captain had already prepared his vessel for the delivery of the dewatering pump, which greatly reduced our time in a hover over his vessel and allowed for the expedient delivery of the pump," said Lt. Justin Neal, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter pilot on the case. 

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick arrived on scene the next morning at about 1030 hours, and she towed the Elise Marie toward the port of Yakutat. The Yakutat Police Department took over the tow near shore and the vessel arrived safely in Yakutat at 2330 hours Thursday.

"This successful case highlighted the importance of mariner preparedness," said Lt. Joseph Sullivan-Springhetti, commanding officer of the cutter John McCormick. "The master has good communication equipment and survival gear on board, which allowed us to find them quickly . . . We were also really fortunate to have the support of the Yakutat Police Department, who met us late in the evening and helped bring the vessel into the pier safely."

More from News of the North

• New order from Alaska Supreme Court further extends suspension of cases

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Saying that to start public trials at this time would be unduly dangerous, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Bolger has issued an updated order in the wake of Governor Dunleavy's emergency alert requiring all executive branch employees to work from home.

• Petition by state to de-list seals as threatened is rejected

  Kenai, Alaska (AP) - A petition by the state of Alaska to de-list three species of Arctic ringed seals as threatened has been rejected.

• Alaska lab failed to report about 1,600 positive virus cases

  Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - A lab in Alaska failed to report over 1,600 positive coronavirus tests to the state health department in the past month.

• Troopers arrest 2 men after POW break-in

  Kasaan, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska State Troopers have arrested two men after an alleged burglary on Prince of Wales Island.

• Anchorage no longer buying Alaska club for homeless shelter

  Anchorage, Alaska (AP) - Acting Anchorage Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson has announced that the city was no longer planning to purchase the former Alaska Club building to become a new homeless shelter for those displaced because of the pandemic.

• Assembly to meet with hospital and school boards

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Assembly conducts joint meetings with the Bartlett Regional Hospital Board of Directors and the School Board Monday evening.

• Traffic stop leads to drug charges

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - An equipment violation led to a traffic stop in the 2900 block of Tongass Avenue and the discovery of a wanted man, heroin and methamphetamines on Thursday, Alaska State Troopers said.

• Snow and wind possible this weekend

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for Haines and Skagway and put out a high wind alert for parts of Southeast on Friday.

• Coast Guard Meritorious Advancement in Ketchikan, Alaska

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) – The Coast Guard meritoriously advanced a boatswains mate during a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Ketchikan Wednesday.

• Anchorage to fund new team of mental health first responders

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The 2021 operating budget passed by the Anchorage Assembly includes funding for a city Mobile Crisis Team, which advocates characterize as mental health first responders.

• Alaska Native Medical Center exceeds coronavirus capacity

  BETHEL, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Native Medical Center, which specializes in health care for Alaska Native and American Indian people in the state, says it is now over capacity with COVID-19 patients.

• State reports 563 new cases of COVID-19

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Health & Social Services reported 10 new cases in Juneau, six in Ketchikan, and cases in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Sitka, Prince of Wales-Hyder and Yakutat-Hoonah-Angoon on Thursday.