The Coast Guard, Kodiak Police Department and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rescued a man from a vessel adrift near Anton Larsen Bay near Kodiak Sunday, the USCG said in a news release.
The crew of the NOAA research vessel Rainer safely towed the man and his 20-foot fishing vessel to Anton Larsen Bay after it was determined the boat was disabled.
Coast Guard watchstanders at the Sector Anchorage command center received a report of the drifting vessel from Kodiak Police dispatch who informed the Coast Guard that the man's wife reported her husband had just purchased the vessel and was unfamiliar with its survival equipment.
Sector Anchorage personnel issued an urgent marine information broadcast to mariners for assistance while requesting the assistance of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak. The MH-60 crew located the drifting vessel and directed the NOAA crew to the scene.
"This case demonstrates the value of working with our partner agencies and should serve as a reminder to mariners about the importance of being familiar with all lifesaving equipment aboard your vessel," said Cmdr. Shawn Decker, Chief of Response, Sector Anchorage. "Boaters can contact their local Coast Guard Auxiliary to arrange for a free vessel safety check before getting underway."
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's seven uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the U.S. military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission.