Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, crews locate and rescue a group of walrus hunters approximately 122 miles north of Nome, Alaska, June 8, 2016.
One skiff was beached with three of the boaters stranded on land, the second skiff was beset by ice causing the remaining three boaters to be hoisted by a Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard rescued six hunters from two 22-foot skiffs approximately four miles north of Singeak early Wednesday morning.
An Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted three boaters from one skiff cut off from open water by ice. The aircrew then picked up the other three hunters from land and transported them to Shishmaref, approximately 122 miles north of Nome.
The Alaska State Troopers contacted Coast Guard 17th District watchstanders Tuesday afternoon reporting that the two skiffs were beset in the ice while hunting for walrus and had lost communications with the ASTs.
Air Station Kodiak launched an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew to locate the boaters and establish communications and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to conduct the rescue.
“This case highlights the importance of filing a float plan in case communications fail,” said Adam Derocher, 17th District watchstander. “Because their general area was known, we were able to team up with the Alaska State Troopers and send HC-130 Hercules and MH-60 Jayhawk crews to locate the boaters and conduct the rescue.”
Weather on scene was reported as 10 miles of visibility, 9 mph winds, 34 degrees and overcast.