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Three stranded hunters were rescued 20 miles from Sitka after their skiff broke free of its mooring and drifted away, according to authorities.
The Coast Guard stated in a release that an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka found the missing hunters stranded at a cabin near Sevenfathom Bay at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. All three men appeared to be in good condition.
The hunters had left for a weekend hunting trip aboard a 17-foot vessel on Saturday and were reported missing to Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders when they did not show up at work Wednesday morning, according to the release.
The Coast Guard conducted a search of the sea and shoreline between Sitka and Sevenfathom Bay, the destination of the hunters, and worked with the Sitka Mountain Rescue to coordinate a local investigation for the missing men, the release stated.
Sector Juneau Lt. j.g. James Dooley said they were found within an hour.
“We diverted them immediately, and in about an hour they were in a helo back to Sitka,” he said by phone.
Dooley said the pilot was able to spot people camping, land the helicopter nearby and verify they were stranded. They told the Coast Guard their moored skiff broke free and drifted away.
Sector Juneau coordinates search and rescue missions for all of Southeast Alaska.
The skiff is still missing, and anyone with knowledge of the location of the vessel is encouraged to call 463-2991.
Comments (6)
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it about time to treat these like a highway problem. When you get a flat tire you don't rely on DOT to come and take you to town as a routine practice. Maybe when you get yourself into one of the situations you could pay for some of the cost. Or maybe when it not a life threatening situation you have to use an air charter to come and get you like those who pay out of pocket to fly out and back.
Hardly a week goes by when the Troopers or the Coast Guard is not out helping someone get back to town due to their own mistakes. And none of them pay a dime for the services rendered.
There is a time and place for search and rescue. People get hurt, aircraft crash and boats sink. None of which are foreseeable circumstances. And there is a time to question when your expecting everyone else is paying for your blunders.
Must be nice to be perfect
Myself, I'm sure I'll screw up one of these days, and I'm glad they're there for me. At least all those taxes I'm paying will give me a return once in awhile.
Sooner or later..
It happens to most of us if we spend time out there but, I have to agree we really need to get out of the habit of calling the coast guard or the troopers when no life threatening condition exists.
I guess if you are shortsighted you might feel like, well I pay taxes and i really am due something in return for that, but you know, If the coast guard was busy retrieving some bonehead who had lost his skiff they might be tied up when someone else really needed them. This resource is definitely finite lets at least try to use it wisely.
In some states a portion of
In some states a portion of the cost of hunting and fishing licenses goes into a rescue fund that volunteer groups or sheriffs departments, etc. can be reimbursed from. They also sell hiking cards ($3/yr.) to specifically cover rescue costs, if needed.
you should know the whole story...
...before you pass judgement. They didn't have any way to communicate or call for help. It was their worried family members that called the Coast Guard, not them. As far as they were concerned, it WAS a life or death situation.