The RAINIER Rescues Two Passengers from a Sinking Vessel
John Ewald
Office of Coast Survey
NOAA National Ocean Service
On June 10, the NOAA hydrographic ship RAINIER picked up a distress call from two passengers on board the fishing vessel CRICKETT. The RAINIER, which was conducting survey operations two miles away, rushed to the scene within ten minutes.
As the CRICKETT began to roll over and sink, the RAINIER sent a rescue team to pull the two distressed passengers out of the water.
The fishing vessel went down in southern Sitka Sound, about 17 nautical miles from Sitka, Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the cause of the sinking has not yet been determined.
Scott Cross, the father of one of the rescued crewmembers, extends his thanks to NOAA and the crew of the RAINIER for responding quickly. He stated, "both are fine, a bit shaken up. What a happy coincidence the RAINIER was close by!"
