As boat sinks, two fishermen in Alaska rescued by Coast Guard helicopter, video shows

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescued two men aboard a sinking 40-foot fishing boat off Sitka, Alaska, officials said.

The men radioed for help in the Islet Passage at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, and a helicopter reached them about an hour later, a Coast Guard news release said.

A rescue swimmer lowered from the helicopter advised the men to abandon ship after they could not stop it from sinking. The helicopter hoisted the men and rescuer aboard.

“This successful case highlighted the importance of mariner preparedness,” Lt. Cmdr. Scott Woodcock, the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter pilot on the rescue, said in the release.

“The biggest challenge during this rescue was the severe winds, however, the fishermen were well prepared with good communication equipment and survival gear,” Woodcock said.

The rescuers faced temperatures of 41 degrees with 5-foot swells and 55 mph wind gusts.

This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 4:19 PM with the headline "As boat sinks, two fishermen in Alaska rescued by Coast Guard helicopter, video shows."