17th District Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
Date: July 24, 2006
Contact: Petty Officer Thomas Mckenzie
(907) 463 2065
After 4 p.m. Alaska Standard Time, (907) 463-2000
Press Release: Crew of Cougar Ace successfully hoisted to safety
JUNEAU, Alaska - A Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station Kodiak, working with two Air National Guard Pavehawk helicopters with rescue crews from Kulis Air National Guard Base, have successfully hoisted the 23 crewmembers of the Cougar Ace to safety.
The operation began at 9:05 p.m, Monday. By 9:30 p.m., the first seven crewmembers had been hoisted from the vessel by a Pavehawk helicopter.
At 9:43 p.m., the Coast Guard helicopter and crew had hoisted the next eight, departing for Adak at 9:51 p.m.
After completing a mid-air refuelling from a nearby Air National Guard C-130 tanker, the second Pavehawk helicopter hoisted the remaining crewmembers at 10:09 p.m.
Weather conditions during the operation were overcast skies with eight knot winds.
Aside from one crewmember with a broken leg who will be taken to Anchorage for medical attention, there were no reported injuries.
The remaining crewmembers will be taken to Adak and then transported to Kodiak, where they will spend the night.
Tomorrow they will be taken to a location as yet to be determined.
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