UAF research vessel Alpha Helix rescues boater

Submitted by Doug Schneider
Phone: 907-474-7449
08/21/03

The University of Alaska Fairbanks research vessel Alpha Helix, which is owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, conducted a rescue of a distressed recreational boater the evening of Aug.19, 2003, near the entrance to Alaska’s Resurrection Bay. The 133-foot R/V Alpha Helix was conducting oceanographic research in the area at aproximately 8:50 p.m. when the crew spotted distress flares. The Alpha Helix proceeded to the source of the flares and retrieved one male person from the water. Weather at the time was stormy. The individual was immediately treated for moderate hypothermia and transported to Seward by approximately midnight. The individual refused on-shore medical assistance and was given a ride to his home. The Alpha Helix was engaged in a Gulf of Alaska Monitoring Program (GLOBEC) research project at the time led by Dr. Tom Weingartner, and returned to sea after the incident.

Special thanks and acknowledgement go ship’s Master Bill Rook who piloted the Alpha Helix, Steward Trish Kaminsky who directed medical attention, and First Mate Gary Ramos who directed and led efforts from the deck to carry out the rescue effort.

For more information, contact Tom Smith, Assistant Director for Coastal and Marine Operations, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Seward Marine Center, 907-224-4305.

For more information about the R/V Alpha Helix http://www.ims.uaf.edu/helix/

Gulf of Alaska Monitoring Program http://www.ims.uaf.edu/GLOBEC/