Mayday: Coast Guard rescues man, 2 dogs from frigid waters of Freshwater Bay, Alaska
The man was later found onshore wearing a survival suit and used a flare to signal rescue crews.
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KODIAK, Alaska - The U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued a man and his two dogs Wednesday after his fishing boat sank in the cold waters of Freshwater Bay, Alaska.
The incident unfolded just before 5 a.m. local time when Coast Guard members heard a mayday call from a man who said his boat was sinking in Freshwater Bay, which is southeast of Hoonah, Alaska.
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![A sunken vessel is shown in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, after the vessel capsized with the owner and his two dogs aboard, Oct. 19, 2022. An Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued the man and his dogs from a nearby shore after he signaled the helo with a flare.]()
Image 1 of 7A sunken vessel is shown in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, after the vessel capsized with the owner and his two dogs aboard, Oct. 19, 2022. An Air Station Sitka aircrew rescued the man and his dogs from a nearby shore after he signaled the helo with a flare. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![A mariner signals an Air Station Sitka aircrew with a flare after his vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. The owner and his two dogs were reportedly in good condition during the time of the rescue.]()
Image 2 of 7A mariner signals an Air Station Sitka aircrew with a flare after his vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. The owner and his two dogs were reportedly in good condition during the time of the rescue. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![An Air Station Sitka pilot aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter locates an individual stranded on shore near Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. The individual and his two dogs swam to shore after his vessel capsized.]()
Image 3 of 7An Air Station Sitka pilot aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter locates an individual stranded on shore near Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. The individual and his two dogs swam to shore after his vessel capsized. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![A man signals a Coast Guard aircrew with a flare after his vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. At approximately 5 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders overheard a mayday call from the vessel and coordinated rescue assets to the scene of the incident.]()
Image 4 of 7A man signals a Coast Guard aircrew with a flare after his vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. At approximately 5 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders overheard a mayday call from the vessel and coordinated rescue assets to the scene of the incident. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![Shown is Robert Johnson and his two dogs who were rescued by a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew after his vessel sank in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. Johnson's vessel is a 33-foot-long fishing vessel named The Bailey Bay.]()
Image 5 of 7Shown is Robert Johnson and his two dogs who were rescued by a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew after his vessel sank in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. Johnson's vessel is a 33-foot-long fishing vessel named The Bailey Bay. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![Photo shows an emergency kit that was utilized by a man whose fishing vessel sank in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. It's important that mariner's stock their emergency kits with non-expired items including a flashlight and extra batteries, fire extinguisher, radio device, flares, extra rope, water and non-perishable foods.]()
Image 6 of 7Photo shows an emergency kit that was utilized by a man whose fishing vessel sank in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. It's important that mariner's stock their emergency kits with non-expired items including a flashlight and extra batteries, fire extinguisher, radio device, flares, extra rope, water and non-perishable foods. (U.S. Coast Guard)
![Shown include the Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew who rescued Robert Johnson and his two dogs after Johnson's vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. Johnson signaled the aircrew with a flare, who quickly located him nearby on shore.]()
Image 7 of 7Shown include the Coast Guard Air Station Sitka aircrew who rescued Robert Johnson and his two dogs after Johnson's vessel capsized in Freshwater Bay, Alaska, Oct. 19, 2022. Johnson signaled the aircrew with a flare, who quickly located him nearby on shore. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Before his emergency radio call was cut off, the man confirmed to the Coast Guard that he and his two dogs were the only ones aboard the sinking vessel.
Coast Guard personnel from Station Juneau, Air Station Sitka and the Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman began a search for the man and his dogs.
Several other boats in the vicinity also heard the man's call for help and were able to provide coordinates to the Coast Guard to help them better refine the search area.
Three hours later, the man was found onshore wearing a survival suit and used a flare to signal the rescue helicopter.
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"This demonstrates the importance of coordination and communication between our Coast Guard crews and the local Alaskan vessels who were able to assist us in locating and rescuing the mariner," Coast Guard Lt. Junior Grade Trevor Layman, a duty officer in the Sector Juneau Command Center, said in a statement. "The mariner was well prepared for an emergency and utilized a flare to direct us to his specific location. All these factors allowed us to do our job in an efficient manner to bring the man and his dogs safely home."
The crew of the Coast Guard cutter was able to locate the submerged wreckage of the Bailey Bay, and a small boat was launched to inspect the damage.
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It was then found that Bailey Bay was producing a small fuel spill. The boat reportedly carried less than 75 gallons of diesel fuel when it sank in 30 feet of water.
The vessel's owner plans to salvage the ship.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.