(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued two men from the 47-foot pleasure craft Jessie B after the vessel struck a rock in McHenry Inlet, 54 miles northwest of Ketchikan Thursday.

Sector Juneau watchstanders received notification via a phone call at about 5:30 a.m. that the Jessie B was on the rocks. A 66-year-old man and one other crewmember were cold, wet and possibly injured aboard the vessel. The watchstanders directed the launch of the helicopter rescue crew.

The Jayhawk crew located the vessel about 19 miles north of Thorne Bay just south of McHenry Inlet. The helicopter crew hoisted two men from the Jessie B before it sank. The men were safely transferred to Thorne Bay where friends met them. No injuries were reported.

The Jessie B’s crew reported they were able to shut off the fuel valves before the vessel sank. The helicopter crew reported a light sheen near the vessel. The crew reported 380 gallons of diesel fuel are on board the Jessie B. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Ketchikan personnel will investigate the cause of the sinking.

Weather at the time of the incident was west northwest winds at 7 mph, rain showers with an air temperature of 55 degrees and water temperature of about 55 degrees.

Source of News: 

United States Coast Guard
www.uscg.mil

SitNews ©2011
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.