Archive image: Crews from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco (WPC 1122), Sitka Mountain Rescue, and Air Force 210th, 211th, and 212th Rescue Squadrons conducted a week-long search and rescue exercise in Sitka, Alaska, April 30 through May 2, 2024.
Crews tackled a series of mini scenarios ranging from lost hikers to an avalanche scenario.
The exercise culminated with a mass-casualty event involving multiple agencies responding in concert to a scene with 28 survivors in distress.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ian Gray.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew rescue three survivors (fishermen) after they abandoned ship 58 nautical miles east of Kayak Island, Alaska. Sunday, November 10, 2024.
An MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka recovered all three survivors from the water and safely transported them to Yakutat where they were reported to be in stable condition.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic command center received notification at 4:23 a.m. from fishing vessel Tsiu after they lost power due to an electrical fire. The vessel deployed its anchor but continued drifting and was at risk of running aground.
Coast Guard watchstanders requested the launch of the Air Station Sitka MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) to alert nearby vessels of the situation.
All three survivors were safety transported to Yakutat in stable condition.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa McKenzie.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
U.S. Coast Guard Alaska.
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Department of Homeland Security
The MH-60 Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew arrived on scene at 12:07 p.m., deployed the rescue swimmer and hoisted all three survivors from the water.
Following the hoist, the Tsiu continued to drift prior to catching anchor east of Kayak Island.
The owner is currently making arrangements to salvage the vessel.
On-scene weather at the time was 29-mph winds, 15-foot seas with an air and water temperature of 47 degrees.
–USCG–
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