USCG saves six people, tows disabled vessel in Port Etches

A Coast Guard Station Valdez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew rescued six people and towed their disabled and adrift 22-foot vessel Freebird in Hinchinbrook Entrance near Port Etches, Prince William Sound, Alaska, Saturday, the USCG press release said.

The Station Valdez boat crew transported all six people with their disabled vessel in tow to safe harbor in Valdez.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received notification from the vessel Freebird reporting that six people were in distress aboard their disabled and adrift boat in the Hinchinbrook Entrance with no ability to anchor. Sector Anchorage launched a Station Valdez boat crew to assist with the rescue and vessel tow.

The good Samaritan vessel Tug Challenger arrived on scene to help until Coast Guard crews were able to assist.

“We are grateful for any good Samaritan assistance throughout Alaska, and for the quick notification from the Freebird crew,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Roe, a Sector Anchorage operations unit watchstander “It is the combination of the two that allowed us to be on scene and provide assistance that lead to such a positive outcome for these people.”

Weather on scene was 17 mph winds, 3-foot seas and rainy.