Coast Guard rescues sailor, cat from adrift sailboat in rocky weather off Alaska coast
The ship was experiencing engine trouble in deteriorating weather conditions with 40-knot winds and waves reaching 15-20 feet.
Sailor and his cat rescued from sailboat off Alaska coast
A man and his cat were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Oct. 25 after becoming adrift amid rough seas off the southern Alaska coast. (Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard /TMX)
KODIAK, Alaska – A sailor and his cat were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard last Friday after becoming adrift amid rough seas off the southern Alaska coast.
The USCG received a call for help at 6:30 a.m. from a 36-foot sailboat located by the Barren Islands near Kodiak.
The sailboat, adrift. (U.S. Coast Guard / FOX Weather)
The ship was experiencing engine trouble in deteriorating weather conditions, according to the USCG Air Station Kodiak. Winds gusting to 45 mph and seas of 15-20 feet were pushing the vessel dangerously close to the islands.
USCG crew launched a helicopter from Kodiak and located the sailboat, using a rescue swimmer and a hoist to successfully bring the sailor and his cat to safety on the aircraft.
The cat and the sailor. (U.S. Coast Guard / FOX Weather)
The Coast Guard said the hoist was the first of his career for one crewman, and the first for a second crewman since transferring to Kodiak over the summer.
"A job well done by all involved!" the Coast Guard said.