February 25, 2009

Coast Guard saves Icy Mist fishermen in hurricane force winds

From a US Coast Guard press release:

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew safely hoisted all four Icy Mist fishermen from the western shore of Akutan Island in winds up to 120 mph at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Dan Oliver, 45, Clint Packer, 43, Kevin Fisner, 36, and Terry Meyer, 29, were able to make thier way ashore and up a hill to a stable, unobstructed area to conduct safe hoist operations following earlier attempts to rescue the fishermen from the vessel.

"Alaska routinely tests our rescue crews," said Cmdr. Todd Trimpert, chief of response for the Seventeenth Coast Guard District. "Demanding hoist takes on a whole new meaning in category 3 hurricane winds."

The cause of the incident is not known at this time and the Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska will be investigating the cause of the incident.

The fishermen were taken to Dutch Harbor. There are no reports of injuries.

Icy Mist rescue video

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew safely hoisted all four Icy Mist fishermen from the western shore of Akutan Island in winds up to 120 mph at approximately 11 a.m. Feb. 25, 2009. (USCG video by PA1 Kurt Fredrickson)

Coast Guard braves hurricane force winds to hoist Icy Mist fishermen aboard chopper