A Coast Guard crew and good Samaritans vessel rescued two people Wednesday from a fishing boat taking on water near Ketchikan.
The Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center received a distress call from passengers aboard the Velvet when it began taking on water in McLean Arm, southeast of Prince of Wales Island, according to a Coast Guard press release. A crew from the nearby vessel William responded to the scene and helped the Velvet passengers board the William to await Coast Guard personnel.
A Station Ketchikan Coast Guard crew later transported the two passengers to Ketchikan after the rescue from their sinking boat. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka was also launched to rescue the passengers.
The weather on scene was reported as overcast with winds blowing at 17 mph and seas less than 4 feet.
Personnel from Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Ketchikan are monitoring the vessel and plan to contact the owner about developing a salvage plan.
