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 EDTNews Release |
June 11, 2017 |
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.