(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - During Sunday's windstorm, the Coast Guard rescued two men and their dog from two 39-foot vessels lashed together in Gem Cove 23 miles east of Ketchikan.

The two men were taken to Herring Bay and transferred safely to emergency medical services by a Station Ketchikan 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew after one of the men reportedly began exhibiting heart attack symptoms.

25-foot Response Boat-Small heading from the Coast Guard base to Gem Cove. This photo was taken from Rotary Beach.
Photograph by Cindy Balzer

The Coast Guard was initially notified of the case by the Canadian command center in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The men aboard the vessels had reported that they were taking on water in Gem Cove.

The Coast Guard launched a Station Ketchikan 47-foot Motor Life Boat to respond but the crew was unable to come alongside due to on-scene conditions and shallow water depth. The Station Ketchikan Response Boat-Small (RBS) crew was sent to assist.

The Response Boat-Small (RBS) crew was able to get alongside the vessels and transfer the two people and their dog to safety.

Rough seas at Mountain Point Sunday...
Photograph by Cindy Balzer

"These men made the right decision and contacted the Coast Guard when their situation began to deteriorate," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Harkins, a watchstander at the Sector Juneau command center. "The Coast Guard recommends all mariners file a float plan with friends or relatives, check the weather before leaving port and to have communication devices, life jackets and emergency supplies aboard their vessel."

Weather on scene at the time of rescue was reportedly 35 mph winds with gusts to 58 mph and 3-foot seas.

Sunday, the Ketchikan Airport reported a peak wind of 98 mph on the rooftop. Wind gusts of 80 mph or greater were forecast in the Ketchikan area Sunday.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Sources of News: 

United States Coast Guard
www.uscg.mil

U.S. National Weather Service - Alaska

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