Archive image: U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aviators, assigned to Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic out of Air Station Kodiak, conduct a hoist rescue demonstration while participating in a multi-agency hoist symposium at Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 22, 2025.
Alaska Army National Guard photo by Alejandro Peña.
KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew conducted the rescue of four mariners from a sinking vessel in the Gulf of Alaska. Friday, August 1, 2025.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center in Juneau received a report at approximately 10:17 a.m. that the 110-foot tug vessel Sea Ranger was taking on water 130 nautical miles south of Cordova.
Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of an HC-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak to respond. The airplane aircrew located the vessel at approximately 1:08 p.m. and established communications with the crew.
The vessel crew reported they were not in distress. The HC-130J Super Hercules aircrew delivered a dewatering pump to the vessel and returned to the Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.
All four crew members were hoisted off the vessel and taken to awaiting emergency medical services in Cordova where no injuries were reported.
U.S. Coast Guard video edited by Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Kearney.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.
U.S. Coast Guard Arctic.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
At 3:57 p.m., Coast Guard watchstanders received another report from the vessel stating they were adrift, had smoke in the engine room, were taking on water, and were unable to start their dewatering pumps.
Coast Guard Arctic District watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew and an HC-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.
At approximately 7:42 p.m., the MH-60T Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew arrived on scene, deployed the rescue swimmer and safely hoisted all four persons from the vessel.
The survivors were taken to awaiting emergency medical services personnel (EMS) in Cordova for evaluation where no medical concerns were reported.
“Given its remote location in the Gulf of Alaska, this challenging rescue resulted in the best possible outcome and demonstrated the dedication and professionalism of Coast Guard aircrews,” said Lt. Evan Sutton, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard Arctic District. “These mariners were well-equipped and demonstrated the importance of having appropriate lifesaving and communications equipment on hand such as life rafts, survival suits, and long-range distress communication devices.”
–USCG–
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