Multimedia Release: Coast Guard responders suspend search along Gastineau Channel, Alaska

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News Release

 

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (907) 487-5700
After Hours: (907) 209-8731
17th District online newsroom

Coast Guard responders suspend search along Gastineau Channel, Alaska

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka conducts a search along the Gastineau Channel after a vessel was found unmanned and adrift near the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2019. The search was suspended after all people reported potentially involved were accounted for and no other signs of distress were observed. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka conducts a search along the Gastineau Channel after a vessel was found unmanned and adrift near the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2019. An 45-foot Respond-Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau also assisted in the search while Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders made contact with the vessel owner and other person reported potentially aboard. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Lt. Cmdr. Scott Shields. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka conducts a search along the Gastineau Channel after a vessel was found unmanned and adrift near the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2019. An 45-foot Respond-Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau also assisted in the search while Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders made contact with the vessel owner and other person reported potentially aboard. U.S. Coast Guard photos by Lt. Cmdr. Scott Shields.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Camden Marshall investigates the pleasure craft Sea Lion at the fuel dock north of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2019. The vessel had been found by fuel dock employees floating unmanned nearby earlier in the day. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Delorenzo. The pleasure craft Sea Lion secured to the fuel dock north of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2019. The vessel had been found by fuel dock employees floating unmanned nearby earlier in the day, and with the help of a Juneau Police Department officer, they were able to get a hold of the vessel and tie it off to the dock. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Delorenzo.
Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution video and pictures.

JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard responders suspended the search for a potential person in the water from an unmanned and adrift vessel found in Gastineau Channel, Friday.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders contacted the vessel owner and a person who was reported potentially aboard, both stated they were safe.  They had not been on the vessel and there were no other signs of distress or reports received.

About 10:30 a.m., sector watchstanders received a report via 911 dispatchers that a vessel had been found unmanned and adrift near the fuel docks north of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge. A Juneau Police Department officer and fuel dock employees were able to get a hold of the vessel and tie it off to the dock. The officer reported that the engine was running but not in gear.

A 45-foot Response-Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau and an MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka launched in response and searched along the channel for four hours before the search was suspended at sunset.

The vessel was relocated to the harbor. Watchstanders were unable to determine how the vessel became adrift.  

-USCG-