By Sentinel Staff
The Coast Guard rescued five fishermen from a life raft today after they were forced to abandon their fishing vessel taking on water 85 miles southeast of Sitka.
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka hoisted all five men and flew them to Sitka, uninjured. Their boat, the F/V Masonic, is a 69-foot fishing vessel homeported in Sitka, the Coast Guard said. The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission lists William C. Lewis as the owner.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders monitoring Channel 16 had heard “Mayday, vessel Masonic going down,” at about 2:33 a.m. today. After attempts to raise the caller on the radio failed, watchstanders located the vessel’s last position south of Cape Decision.
The Sitka helicopter crew and the Petersburg-based Cutter Anacapa were sent to the area, and an urgent marine information broadcast issued. The cruise ship Oosterdam responded to offer assistance.
The Sitka aircrew found the life raft on the north side of Coronation Island about 4 a.m., with all five people aboard wearing cold weather survival suits. The life raft was tied off to the stern of the grounded fishing vessel.
The Coast Guard said the crew of the Masonic had requested and received a commercial fishing vessel dockside examination prior to departing on the fishing trip. A Sitka-based Coast Guard commercial fishing safety specialist examined the vessel and its equipment, including verifying the presence of emergency gear.
The crew had conducted an abandon ship drill the day before the exam, including donning the survival suits.
“This case highlights how being prepared for an emergency situation is critical in the dangerous environment that we live and work in,” said Capt. Stephen White, Sector Juneau Commander. “I’m thankful that the crew of the Masonic was prepared. It probably saved their lives. In addition, the AIS position from the vessel was instrumental in our ability to quickly locate the survivors, as it took the ‘search’ out of ‘search and rescue.’”
Pollution responders from Marine Safety Detachment Sitka are monitoring the area for any indications of pollution from the grounded vessel. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
