On the afternoon of Sunday, July 31, M/V BIG RED was traveling in Favorite Channel near Juneau, Alaska when it began taking on water. Watchstanders from coast Guard Sector Juneau received the distress call and issued an urgent marine information broadcast calling for assistance from nearby vessels. All persons aboard the 35-foot whale-watching vessel were rescued by Coast Guard and multiple Good Samaritan vessels.
The 16 passengers and 2 crewmembers were transferred onto M/V ST. HERMAN with the help of recreational vessel See You, and transported to Allen Marine Dock to await Coast Guard and medical personnel. One knee injury was reported.
Lt. Jennifer Ferreira, sector Juneau command duty officer, commended the BIG RED crew for their swift, decisive action to ensure that all passengers were handed life vests when the vessel began taking on water.