Distress call near Kodiak ends happily

This just in from the U.S. Coast Guard:

April 21, 2011

Coast Guard responds to mayday call miles north of Kodiak

KODIAK — Coast Guard Sector Anchorage launched an MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter after receiving a mayday call from a crewmember aboard the 71-foot stern trawler Coho reporting they were taking on water with three people aboard 20 miles northwest of Kodiak at 12:08 a.m.

The helicopter crew and the nearby good Samaritan vessel Leslie Lee were able to transport dewatering pumps but the Coho crew declined assistance after they were able to dewater the vessel.

"We train everyday to help maintain readiness for any emergency situation," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Rex Walsingham, Sector Anchorage command center supervisor. "The training benefited us today as we were on scene and prepared to assist the crew aboard the Coho as needed."

The crew aboard the fishing vessel moored safely in Kodiak at 9 a.m.

Here's a Coast Guard video of the response.