Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the Coast Guard’s oldest missions. Minimizing the loss of life, injury, property damage or loss by rendering aid to persons in distress and property in the maritime environment has always been a Coast Guard priority.
Coast Guard SAR response involves multi-mission stations, cutters, aircraft and boats linked by communications networks. Training is often conducted to keep the Coast Guard’s crews ready for when duty calls.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by AET1 William Greer.
KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew rescue a 70-year-old man from the waters of Union Bay, Alaska, northwest of Meyers Chuck, Sunday.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew hoisted the man, who was in the water clinging to a piece of debris. and took him to awaiting emergency medical services in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The man was reported to be in stable condition.
Coast Guard 17th District command center personnel notified Sector Juneau watchstanders of a search and rescue satellite alert from the fishing vessel Irony at approximately 4:46 p.m.
An aircrew from Air Station Sitka and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa launched to conduct the search and rescue mission.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Janessa-Reyanna Warschkow.
“Thankfully due to the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon we were able to locate the man in the water quickly,” said Nick Meyers the Sector Juneau command duty officer. “This allowed us to deploy our rescue swimmer and hoist the man to safety to get him to further medical treatment.”
“What saved this man’s life was his essential survival equipment,” said Lt. Justin Neal, a helicopter pilot from Air Station Sitka. “He had an emergency position indicating radio beacon registered in his name that allowed us to find him quickly, and his survival suit kept him warm long enough for us to rescue him.”
Weather conditions at the time of the incident were up to 57 mph winds with 10 foot seas.
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