A Coast Guard aircrew fro Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a boat’s captain after his vessel ran aground southeast of Yakutat on Thursday morning. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

A Coast Guard aircrew fro Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued a boat’s captain after his vessel ran aground southeast of Yakutat on Thursday morning. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard rescue man after vessel runs aground

Aircrews also medevaced a crewman from a cargo ship near Dutch Harbor.

A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a man after his vessel ran aground near Cape Fairweather, 10 miles northwest of Lituya Bay on Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a call at 6:50 a.m. from the captain of the West Bank that his vessel was aground and listing on a rocky beach, according to the Coast Guard.

An MH-60 Jayhawk sortied from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, landing at the vessel at 10:19 a.m. and transporting the man to Sitka, according to the news release. No injuries were reported.

[Low ceilings, low visibility: Weather interferes with flights]

Watchstanders were able to keep in communication with the man through the vessel Northstar, which stayed on-scene to assist until the helicopter arrived, according tothe Coast Guard.

“We are grateful to the good Samaritan vessel that stayed on scene to assist with communications with the West Bank,” said Ensign Maximilian Carfagno, command duty officer for Sector Juneau, in the news release.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the grounding, according to the news release.

“It’s been busy, I tell you what. Here in Alaska, commercial traffic has increased. Cruise ship traffic has come back and actually exceeded prepandemic levels. Recreational vessel traffic has increased,” said Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of District 17, of the summer so far. “We’ve been very busy on the water and across our mission set.”

Medevac at sea

An aircrew from CGAS Kodiak evacuated an injured crewman from a container ship south of Dutch Harbor on Tuesday.

D17 watchstanders received a report on Sunday from the Chinese-flagged cargo ship Xin Li Hia that a crewmember was suffering from severe abdominal pain, according to the news release. The ship was approximately 800 nautical miles southwest of Dutch Harbor at the time; many cargo ships sail near the Aluetians as the great circle route takes them through the North Pacific.

Watchstandars diverted the cutter Kimball to the scene while forward-deploying the MH-60 and a C-130 Hercules to Dutch Harbor, according to the news release. The aircrew was able to hoist the man on Tuesday afternoon, flying him to Dutch Harbor, where he took a civilian medevac flight to Anchorage.

“This case showcases the importance proficiency plays in conducting long-range medevacs in Alaska,” said Lt. Christopher McCarthy, D17 command duty officer, in the news release. “The close coordination between our command center staff, the multiple Air Station Kodiak crews and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kimball helped ensured this mariner was able to obtain medical treatment.”

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Oct. 1

Here’s what to expect this week.

This image from House Television shows Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., the Speaker Pro Tempore, presiding as the House passes a 45-day funding bill on Saturday at the Capitol in Washington. The House vote was 335-91. The measure now goes to the Senate, which also is meeting Saturday. (House Television via AP)
Government shutdown averted with little time to spare as Biden signs funding before midnight

Murkowski, Sullivan both vote for bill; Peltola abstains due to husband’s death, but voices support.

This is a photo taken at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in July. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Forest Service, Tlingit and Haida to co-steward Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area

Tribe dedicated to “protection of the historic and cultural resources in the area,” president says.

Retiring Deputy Chief David Campbell, left, and City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rorie Watt, right, smile for a photo Friday afternoon during a ceremony held at the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s deputy and interim police chief retires after 28 years

David Campbell honored for his service during a ceremony Friday afternoon.

Violinist/vocalist Chelsey Green, seen here with her Green Project ensemble in 2022, is scheduled to perform Oct. 4 and 5 during the Juneau Jazz and Classics Fall Music Festival. (Photo courtesy of Chelsey Green)
This fall’s Juneau Jazz and Classics offers the world on a string

Cellos and violins will be playing rock, folk, baroque, fusion and traditional at five-day festival.

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Police investigate ‘random’ drive-by pellet gun attack downtown

A person in a white SUV reportedly shot at two women Wednesday night.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Derek Bos of Colorado smiles for a photo Thursday evening outside of City Hall. Bos is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the Juneau Police Department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Chief finalist says building trust in schools and faith-based communities a priority

He addresses past controversial arrests of two school district administrators in Colorado.

Most Read