[seadog] Valdez CG rescues yakers...

June 17, 2002
By Petty Officer Roger W. Wetherell

rwetherell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Coast Guard rescues Florida kayakers near Valdez

JUNEAU, Alaska - The Coast Guard saved a pair of Florida kayakers Sunday
night after their vessels overturned near Gold Creek, seven miles west of
Valdez.<

A local tugboat crew notified the Coast Guard that they spotted a partially
submerged, two-person kayak, a tarp, a paddle and a green bag at 6:29 p.m.
near the beach.

Officials at Marine Safety Office Valdez informed the crew aboard Cutter
Roanoke Island to begin searching for possible missing boaters.

The Roanoke Island crew began searching within 30 minutes and at 6:55 p.m.
the cutter's crew located two people on the beach.  They told Coast Guard
rescuers that two additional boating companions became separated from them.
They told rescuers that the missing kayakers wore lifejackets and carried a
cellular telephone.

The patrol boat crew searched for and located 23-year-old Robert Brown and
24-year-old Grace Hipona both of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.  The rescuers found
the pair as the two walked the beach and waved their hands while attempting
to return to Valdez.

The Roanoke Island crew recovered Brown and Hipona at 8:30, treated Hipona
for mild hypothermia and transported them to an awaiting ambulance crew in
Valdez at 10 p.m.



June 17, 2002
By Petty Officer Russ Tippets
rtippets@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Release: 138-02

Fire disables cargo ship, Coast Guard ready to assist vessel's crew

JUNEAU, Alaska - The Coast Guard is ready to assist a 670-foot- container
ship after the vessel experienced an electrical fire Sunday evening.

The CSX Expedition, transiting from Tacoma to Anchorage, experienced a
switchboard fire leaving it disabled and adrift. The CSX Expedition is 180
miles southwest of Sitka and 140 miles from nearest land. None of the
27-crewmembers on board suffered any injuries. The ship is carrying general
refrigerated cargo.

The crew is actively working to repair the ship and sail again. If the crew
can't repair the ship, a commercial vessel will depart port today at 9 a.m.
to tow the ship to shore.

The Coast Guard cutter Maple, Air Station Sitka and Air Station Kodiak are
standing by ready to assist the mariners if needed.

The weather conditions are favorable including calm seas and clear
visibility.




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