The Coast Guard rescued a boater after he ran aground near Sitka on Saturday night, said a Coast Guard spokesperson.
Coast Guard Air Station Sitka launched an MH-60 Jayhawk after the vessel’s captain radioed that he had run aground near Kulichof Rock, said public affairs specialist Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa McKenzie in a phone interview.
“The captain of the fishing vessel said he ran aground and was taking on water,” McKenzie said.
The man activated the 50-foot vessel’s emergency position indicating radio beacon, and he was able to get to the rocks he’d grounded on with a dry bag containing survival and communication gear. The crew of the MH-60 was able to hoist him to safety with no issues after he flagged them in with a headlamp, and the man had no injuries, McKenzie said. His vessel was less fortunate.
“Sometime Sunday, we were notified the vessel had caught fire and burned substantially,” McKenzie said. “The salvage company tried to get on scene today, but the weather was not permissible.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
