Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

Date: May 27, 2007
Contact: D13 Public Affairs
  (206) 220-7237

COAST GUARD ASSISTS GROUNDED SAILING VESSEL

VIDEO AVAILABLE 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6i-HtlQa2I0

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard assisted four people on a sailing vessel that ran aground at the south end of Lopez Island, Wash., today.

Coast Guard Group Port Angeles received a call at approximately 5:10 p.m. from the 36-foot sailing vessel, Shekinech, that they had run aground and needed assistance. 

A Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles and a Coast Guard 33-foot small response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham were launched to assist.

Upon arrival the 33-foot small response boat crew pulled the Shekinech off of the rocks while the helicopter hovered in case of further complications. 

A commercial assitance vessel arrived at the scene and established a tow to Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Wash.

No injuries were reported.  

Video of this rescue can be downloaded here.

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