KODIAK, Alaska — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley assisted three mariners aboard a disabled skiff between Sledge Island and Cripple River, Tuesday evening.
A crew aboard a small boat off the Alex Haley took the disabled skiff in tow and brought the mariners to Nome Harbor.
Nome Police Department dispatch notified the crew of Alex Haley that a 16-foot skiff had engine problems, were disabled and adrift, and had lost communications with the mariners. The Alex Haley launched a small boat crew to assist.
The small boat crew spotted the skiff on shore near Cripple River where the mariners were receiving assistance with their vessel from good Samaritans. After successfully making repairs the mariners headed back out but started having engine trouble. The crew of the small boat took the skiff in tow and brought the mariners back to the harbor.
“This was a great opportunity to demonstrate the commitment to the safety of the environment and people of Nome,” said Cmdr. Steve White, Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley commanding officer. “It was nice to conduct operations during a port call to build the relationship and partnerships with local leadership and native communities.”
Weather at the time of the incident was reported as calm.
The crew of Alex Haley is currently supporting the Arctic Shield 2014 mission to ensure safe, secure and environmentally responsible maritime activities in the Arctic as the Arctic sea ice continues to recede. The Coast Guard aims to improve awareness, modernize governance and broaden partnerships by deploying assets and personnel to the arctic to protect lives and property at sea and enforce laws and regulations in the region.