Coast Guard responds to vessel taking on water near Annette Island, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard responded to a report of motor vessel Eagle One Express taking on water with 36 people aboard near Annette Island, Thursday. The 51-foot vessel crew beached the vessel, and all of the passengers have been disembarked with no reported injuries. There were 30 adults and six children aboard. Coast Guard watchstanders at the Sector Southeast Alaska command center received the initial mayday call at approximately 8:50 a.m. while the vessel was in the vicinity of Nichols Passage. Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting assistance from vessels in the immediate area. Two 45-foot Response Boat – Medium boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Ketchikan and four good Samaritan vessels arrived on scene by approximately 9:05 a.m. where the Eagle One Express had beached itself on Annette Island. After the crews arrived on scene, the passengers were loaded onto two of the responding good Samaritan vessels to be transported to Ketchikan. “We are constantly amazed by the strength of the Alaskan community and their willingness to help each other in times of distress,” said Coast Guard Lt. Mary Tran, command duty officer for the Sector Southeast Alaska command center. “We can’t thank the good Samaritan crews enough for responding at a moment’s notice to help us rescue everyone today.” The vessel was refloated and is being towed to Ketchikan. There are no reports of pollution. The cause of the incident is under investigation.