Crew saved after vessel goes aground at King Cove

The U.S. Coast Guard issued this press release about 9:20 a.m.

March 6, 2011

Good Samaritans rescue five off vessel aground near King Cove

A good Samaritan crew on the vessel Just In Case rescued five fishermen after the 58-foot Capt'n Andrew ran aground this morning on Bold Cape four miles southeast of King Cove.

The fishing vessels Golden Dawn and Just In Case responded while the Coast Guard put out an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast requesting local vessels that could safely assist the crew of the Capt'n Andrew, which was aground.

A crewmember of the Just In Case deployed a skiff and took the five-person crew off the partially submerged vessel and transferred them to the Just In Case while the Golden Dawn crew relayed information to the Coast Guard.

Two Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters forward deployed in St. Paul were launched but were not needed.

"In Alaska, good Samaritans often play an essential role in remote rescues, when vast distances can delay a Coast Guard response," said Jennifer Whitcomb, search and rescue controller at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Juneau.

The Just In Case safely transported all five crewmembers to King Cove with no reported injuries.

The Capt'n Andrew reportedly is carrying approximately 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage is investigating.

Weather on scene was reportedly 10-knot winds and less than a mile of visibility.