Coast Guard rescues fishing crew near Dutch Harbor, Alaska

February 10th, 2007

Juneau, Alaska - The US Coast Guard rescued four people early this morning from a life raft near Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

US Coast Guard press release:
The Coast Guard rescued four people at 1:57 a.m. today, who had abandoned ship from the fishing vessel Illusion near Dutch Harbor at 11:22 p.m., yesterday.

The crew was picked up from a life raft in Makushin Bay by a Coast Guard helicopter that had been in Dutch Harbor with the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon.

There were no reported injuries, and the crew was taken back to Unalaska.

The Rescue Coordination Center, (RCC) in Juneau was notified that the crew was in trouble when the fishing vessel's registered electronic position indicating radio beacon, (EPIRB) was picked up by satellite shortly after the Illusion's crew abandoned ship.

The EPIRB did not initially give a fix on the crew's location, and the RCC was able to ascertain that the Illusion had been fishing in Makushin Bay through further investigation.

The weather conditions on scene were 20 to 30 knot winds, low visibility with heavy mist.

The crew's reason for abandoning ship is unknown at this time.