UPDATE: PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers rescue 4 after tug runs aground near Sitka, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/11/2017 02:53 PM EDT

united states coast guard

News Release

 June 11, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: Petty Officer 2nd Class Meredith Manning
 Office: (907) 428-4181
Cell: (907) 321-4513

Petty Officer 2nd Class Derrick Depriest, a damage controlman on board the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, operates a P-6 pump to combat flooding.Petty Officer 2nd Class Derrick Depriest, a damage controlman on board the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, operates a P-6 pump to combat flooding in the forward living quarters of a tug that ran aground on the Vitskari Rocks, near Sitka, Alaska, June 10, 2017. A McCormick smallboat crew and an Alaska State Trooper few responded to the tug after Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report on VHF-FM radio channel 16 from the tug crew that they had run aground and were taking on water. U.S. Coast Guard photo

Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Talley, a boatswain's mate on board the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, brings the cutter’s small boat alongsidePetty Officer 1st Class Justin Talley, a boatswain's mate on board the Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick, brings the cutter’s small boat alongside a tug that was taking on water, near Sitka, Alaska, June 10, 2017. The tug, 18 Eagles, reported to Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders that they ran aground on Vitskari Rocks and were in need of assistance. U.S. Coast Guard photo

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JUNEAU, Alaska- A Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick smallboat crew and an Alaska State Trooper boat crew rescued four people from the tug, 18 Eagles, after it ran aground on Vitskari Rocks, near Sitka, Saturday.

The McCormick and AST crews arrived on scene and dewatered the tug. The AST crew towed the tug and crew to Sitka.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a report on VHF-FM radio channel 16 from the tug crew that they had run aground and were taking on water. Watchstanders directed the launch of the McCormick's smallboat crew.

"Thankfully the tug crew had a radio on board and were able to ask for help," said Lt. j.g. Collin McClelland, a Sector Juneau command duty officer. "Working with the Troopers we were able to get them safely back to shore."

The weather on scene was reported as calm seas and 9-mph winds.

The McCormick is the Coast Guard's 21st Fast Response Cutter and the first one homeported west of the Mississippi River. The FRC was commissioned in Ketchikan, Alaska, April 12, 2017.