Maritime Injury Law BlogF/V JEANOAH Crew Avoids Sinking Thanks to Coast Guard and Good Samaritan F/V KATHERINE
Yesterday, the crew of 67-foot JEANOAH began taking on water in the Shelikof Straight about 40 miles west of Kodiak, Alaska. The captain contacted the Coast Guard with the news that they’d struck a rock and needed help. The Coast Guard sent out a helicopter and a cutter, as well as issued an urgent marine information broadcast.
The crew of KATHERINE heard the UMIB and headed over to help tow JEANOAH into safer water. A Coast Guard swimmer from the cutter, ROANOKE ISLAND, delivered dewatering pumps and effected basic temporary repairs. Seaworthy enough to travel under her own power again, JEANOAH then began her trip back in calm weather to her home port of Kodiak, escorted by ROANOKE ISLAND.
Quick action and help from the Coast Guard and KATHERINE saved JEANOAH from what might have been a very different fate.