USCG Lifts 5 Crew from Stricken vessel

The USCG saved 5 crew members from the tug ship Polar Wind that ran aground and started taking on water 20 n.m. east of Cold Bay at 8:58 p.m. on Tuesday.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, deployed on the board of the the Coast Guard Cutter Sherman, that arrived on scene at 2:14 a.m. Wednesday, and safely hoisted 3 of the 5 crew members from the seventy-eight-foot ship and took them to Cold Bay. The Dolphin helicopter crew member left their Coast Guard saving swimmer with the remaining 2 crew members of the aground vessel and an Air Station HC-130 Hercules airplane stayed overhead to observe the situation. An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew member from Air Station Kodiak arrived on scene and hoisted the 2 remaining crew members and the rescue swimmer and transported them safely to Cold Bay.

The tug boat Polar Wind is informed to have nearly 18,500 gallons of fuel on board and the barge is informed for carrying nearly 5,000 gallons of fuel and 90 refrigerated cargo containers.

The USCG is still working with the Alaska Depart. of Environmental Conservation and the owner of the tug boat and barge, Northland Services, to respond to this situation. A unified command has been stood up to respond to the situation.

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Article courtesy of Vessel Finder.