Coast Guardsmen from Station Juneau assisted a family of seven aboard a disabled vessel Sunday, towing them to Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor, the Coast Guard announced.
The family, with two adults and five children aboard a 22-foot sailboat, sent out a distress broadcast near Marmion Island at the southern end of Douglas Island, which was received by watchstanders at Sector Juneau, Coast Guard said in a news release.
Good Samaritans aboard the fishing vessel Jenny May received the mayday call and moved to assist, according to the Coast Guard. The people aboard the sailing vessel reported that they were low on fuel and their rudder was damaged.
[Antarctica is still free of COVID-19. Can it stay that way?]
A Department of Fish and Game vessel, the Medeia, took most of the family aboard and began towing the vessel to the harbor. Due to rough weather conditions on the water, Station Juneau launched their 45-foot Response Boat-Medium to assist, which towed the disabled vessel the rest of the way.
“Cases like this make my job and the long hours worth it,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony DeLorenzo, part of the boat crew. “When I’m able to help save a family, it’s extremely rewarding to see how grateful people are for you and for what you do.”
No one was injured and the vessel was towed without incident to Douglas Harbor.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew tows a disabled 22-foot sailing vessel near Marmion Island, Sept. 13, 2020.(Courtesy Photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony DeLorenzo)
