The US Coast Guard has completed a rescue operation northeast of Barrow. KDLG’s Chase Cavanaugh has more.
The Coast Guard cutter Healy has successfully dislodged a sailboat trapped in Arctic ice. The vessel, known as Altan Girl, was on a trip from Vancouver to eastern Canada through the Northwest Passage, but became stuck last week 40 miles Northeast of Barrow. Personnel at North Slope Borough Search and Rescue were the first to respond, but were unable to fly out due to low visibility. Petty Officer Diana Koenig says the Coast Guard had to call on other assets.
“By Thursday, the Coast Guard had gotten some ice and weather reports from NOAA and decided to divert the Coast Guard cutter Healy, which was 200 miles away from the sailboat. Healy had to break through 12 miles of ice to get to the Altan Girl and tow the sailboat to open water.”
On Saturday, the Healy successfully rescued the Altan Girl and its captain, both in Barrow. Koenig says the rescue is a good reason for a versatile fleet.
“This case highlights the important capabilities of the Coast Guard multi-mission assets deployed out to the Arctic.”
The Healy now returns to normal duties, which include a research mission for the National Science Foundation.
A video containing rescue footage is available from DVIDS.