An Alaskan tour and whale-watch vessel was evacuated Thursday after the boat began taking on water near Annette Island, according to the Coast Guard.
The 51' Eagle One Express, operated by Eagle One Tours, Ketchikan, Alaska, had 30 adults and six children on board when the boat began taking on water near Nichols Passage in Southeast Alaska.
The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at the Sector Southeast Alaska command center received a mayday call at approximately 8:50 a.m. and issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting assistance from nearby vessels.
By approximately 9:05 a.m., two 45' Response Boat – Medium boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Ketchikan and four good Samaritan vessels arrived on scene, where the Eagle One Express crew had intentionally beached the vessel on Annette Island.
All passengers disembarked with no reported injuries and were loaded onto two good Samaritan vessels for transport to Ketchikan. No signs of pollution were reported.
“We are constantly amazed by the strength of the Alaskan community and their willingness to help each other in times of distress,” Coast Guard Lt. Mary Tran, command duty officer for the Sector Southeast Alaska command center, said in a statement. “We can’t thank the good Samaritan crews enough for responding at a moment’s notice to help us rescue everyone today.”
The Eagle One Express, which carries up to 44 passengers on scenic and wildlife-viewing tours through the Alexander Archipelago, was refloated and is being towed to its Ketchikan home port.
The cause of the incident is under investigation, the Coast Guard said.
