Kodiak cutter involved in major Honolulu rescue

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

Feb. 9, 2010

Alaska-based cutter aids rescue 900 miles southwest of Honolulu

KODIAK — The crew of the Kodiak-based Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley rescued a 28-member crew this morning and is attending two burn victims from the disabled Taiwan-flagged fishing vessel Hou Chun 11 about 900 miles southwest of Honolulu.

Corpsmen aboard the cutter are treating the two crewmembers who are reported to have suffered severe burns. The crew of the cutter Alex Haley is scheduled to transit to Christmas Island, Kiribati, where the two burn victims are to be medevaced.

The Alex Haley arrived on scene at approximately 5 a.m., Alaska Standard Time, today. A Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew remained on scene after the Alex Haley arrived to relay the exact position of the life rafts to rescuers. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy aircrews were on scene throughout the night.

The Alex Haley was in Honolulu to complete a Tailored Ship Training Availability, which measures the crew's skills and operational readiness to complete all Coast Guard missions. They are expected to return to Kodiak toward the end of the month.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Click here for more information and photos.