4 local fishermen, dog forced to abandon ship in Alaska
Courtesy Shipspotting.com.
KODIAK, Alaska. -- The Coast Guard rescued four fishermen and a dog Wednesday night when their boat took on water about 190 miles southwest of Kodiak.
According to the Coast Guard, the 76-foot Ocean Viking vessel sent out a distress call around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night when the ship began taking on water. The four-member crew donned immersion gear, activated their radio beacon and abandoned ship into a life raft.
Coast Guard personnel at Sector Anchorage and Communication Station Kodiak issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting the assistance of mariners in the area. Command center crews directed the launch of the Jayhawk helicopter crew to the boat. The fishermen were rescued by the helicopter crew.
Weather conditions on the scene were reportedly six-foot seas and 24 mph winds. When last seen, the Ocean Viking was partially submerged. It is unknown why the boat went down.
Officials with the Coast Guard said the Ocean Viking crew did "everything right" before abandoning their ship.