46 mariners rescued west of Dutch Harbor

Coast Guard crews from Air Station Kodiak, along with Good Samaritan merchant ships rescued 46 crewmembers aboard the 229-foot trawler Alaska Juris after they had to abandon ship some 690 miles west of Dutch Harbor.

All 46 crewmembers were transferred to Good Samaritan vessels Spar Canis and Vienna Express to be transported to Adak, Coast Guard officials said. All crewmembers had donned survival suits and there were no reports of injuries.

Rescue efforts began after the Coast Guard received an electronic position indicating radio beacon alert from the Alaska Juris about 11:30 a.m. on July 26.

The crew confirmed that they were in distress, donning survival suits and abandoning ship.
Coast Guard Cutter Midgett and an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircraft were diverted to the vessel’s location, near Kiska Island. Two Air Station Kodiak MH-0 Jayhawk helicopters were launched to Adak as a staging and refueling area. The Coast Guard also issued an urgent marine information broadcast to vessels in the area and the motor vessels Spar Canis, Vienna Express, Seafisher and Ocean Peace diverted to assist.

Cause of the vessel taking on water is under investigation.

“The crew of the Alaska Juris did the right thing by calling for help, putting on their immersion suits and safely abandoning the ship,” said Lt. Greg Isbell, District 17 command duty officer.
Emergencies can occur at any time in Alaska’s vast and extreme environment, and the Good Samaritans’ willingness to respond was paramount to getting the Alaska Juris crew to safety, he said.

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The situation is being monitored by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Weather on scene was reported as calm seas and limited visibility.

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