U.S. Coast Guard crew members aided a disabled fishing vessel, the 55-foot Elise Marie, taking on water about six miles south of Icy Bay, Alaska, the agency said Wednesday.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew sent over a dewatering pump to the vessel to help control the flooding before Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick crew members towed the vessel to Yakutat.
“This successful case highlighted the importance of mariner preparedness,” said Lt. Joseph Sullivan-Springhetti, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick. “The master has good communication equipment and survival gear onboard, which allowed us to find them quickly, tow them safely, and with confidence.We were also really fortunate to have the support of the Yakutat Police Department, who met us late in the evening and helped bring the vessel in to the pier safely.”