ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Three fishermen have been rescued by the Coast Guard after their fishing vessel, the Ruffian, began taking on water near Latouche Island in Prince William Sound.
The Coast Guard reached the vessel at 11:20 and transported the men safely to Whittier.
According to the Coast Guard, there was no pollution attributed to the ship and a salvage operation is underway.
An emergency signal was received from the 42-foot fishing vessel Ruffian at 12:44 a.m.
A Kodiak-based Jayhawk rescue helicopter was sent to the scene at 1:45 a.m., but rough weather kept the crew of the helicopter from locating the vessel.
At 9:20 a.m., a second helicopter crew was sent from Kodiak, along with the Coast Guard Cutter Roanoke Island from Homer.
The fishing vessel Vanguard responded to the emergency call and our on the scene, but were unable to reach the Ruffian.
In order to keep the Ruffian from sinking, the captain of the boat reportedly grounded the vessel in an effort to save the 200 gallons of diesel fuel aboard.
