JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard, state and local search and rescue crews in Southeast Alaska rescued two missing boaters who were stranded near Ketchikan Tuesday afternoon.
After being provided a position from the Sector Juneau command center watchstanders, a Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad aircraft crewmember spotted an overturned skiff on the shore of the Unuk River and alerted the Coast Guard. An Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew landed on the beach, brought the two stranded people aboard and flew them safely to Ketchikan.
"This case was a success because the boaters filed a float plan, and we knew where to focus our search and rescue efforts," said Nick Meyer, a Sector Juneau operations unit watchstander. "The support we received from the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad and Alaska Department of Fish and Game allowed us to cover more area to quickly locate the missing boaters."
Both of the rescued people were reported in stable condition.
Read the initial release here.