Had an experience that changed my life. Had been crew on a 72’ fishing boat for 4 years. On our way home from a month of fishing hair crab in the Pribilofs we stopped in a bay to do some hunting. During the night temps dropped to single digits and wind came up. And up.. Big gust and the anchor cable parted. Had it bouyed off but snapped that line too. Blowing harder all the time. Skipper put it on the stern while we beat ice but we couldn’t keep up. Turned back into it but by now between the wind and the seas we couldn’t make headway. Ice building fast, cold as heck, a monster gust on the port side pushed her over. Engine sucked air and died. 3 times I ran down, got it started and he was able right it only to happen again. Last time we went to 90 degrees. By then we had been in contact with USCG. Abandoning ship was difficult. Suits on, get Epirb, etc. We had to beat a foot of ice off the raft canister with our fists. It inflated upside down. Winds were over 100 mph steady and higher gusts. Did I mention cold? Boat on her side and rolling in heavy seas we somehow managed to all 5 of us get to the raft. Lots of tangled lines everywhere we couldn’t get away until we found a knife and started cutting until we got the right one. Then away we went. Breaking seas threatened to roll us over constantly. Looked back at the boat and it was upright- then gone. Cold and wet we were sure they would not fly in that weather. 2 hours later we see a C130 way up high. Then an HH 60 went around and came in on approach. They were getting saltwater spray at 400 feet.Just like the movies, they dropped a swimmer who made it to the raft and said “ Good morning boys. My name is Mike. Is everybody here?” One by one up in the basket. Chopper getting heavy with ice. On the way back we talked about ditching process. Finally in Kodiak we landed HARD and had to run it out of fuel because controls were frozen. And I get to spend another holiday season with loved ones because of those 4 heroes that flew that day. USCG rocks !

Great story...and outcome. We used to give them boys heck, but when a life needs saving in the water, no one does it better.

A sobering experience Jarl !! Thanks for sharing that !!

So relieved all made it out safe ....nothing like those pilots and crew .

You articulated the event well . I could visualize it in mind's eye as you wrote.

Thank you for the share .

Great story and one heck of an experience! I'm glad everybody survived. My hat is off to the rescue crew who had the stones to fly in that weather.

The next summer I went to the ceremony when they were given the Distinguished Flying Cross . They also were given USCG rescue of the year. I always say there are 5 reasons it worked out. 1. It was daylight. Not much in December. 2. Station bill and drills. Everyone knew their job. 3. Skipper was on the radio early. Before we lost contact. 4. Watertight doors and hatches. Gave us the time we needed. 5. They flew !

Watching the brave rescues on Deadliest Catch and how those people put their lives on the line, they are the best!

Great story. Quite the experience. I’m going to read this to my boys tonight. Thanks

Unless a person has spent time in that area, they can't even imagine what it is. What island were you bayed up at? There are plenty of stories that most never hear about off those islands. Glad for the out come.

Portage Bay on the S side of the peninsula. Every time I go by that place I think about the $900 cash in my wallet sitting on the bottom.

My best friends son Joe went up there in 2012 to work on a small fishing and crab boat. I believe he was out of Sand Point but not real sure of that. he somehow got hung up on one of the crap pots and got pulled overboard. The crew pulled it back up as quickly as possible. When they did he was not tangled in it anymore. After I believe 48 hours the USCG called off the search. He was never recovered. Very rough time for the family and friends.

Those Airedales from Kodiak have some Balls. I was stationed at the USCG Support Center from July of 85 untill Jan of 87.

I was attached to the Base firehouse which also provided support for the Air-Station and the Commercial airport. (we were waiting on the runways for med flights and other emergency landings.)

They went out in some seriously bad conditions and not always to make it back home.

3 Fingers I am glad that you and your crew made it...

Most Respect.

I would bet that cash made shore, but I can't blame you for not wanting to go back and look for it. I was always shocked at the things that made shore. I found a chunk of chain about 20 foot long on Kanaga. Hooks on both ends. There was a piece of that runway matting the military used too. It was still in the water at high tide, and out during low. Its a unreal story, I cringe every time I hear about something like that.

Glad you made it home OK,
How did the hunt go on the island?

MJM, wallet I assume is still in the foc’sle. Lost a couple good guns too. Replaceable. Boco , was the mainland, December moose season. Got preoccupied and didn’t get to the beach.

Man that story gave me chills, even though I knew you made it, had to be the ultimate pucker factor!

thanks for sharing ,

To the OP....Not many folks get to tell a story like that. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I bet life is a little sweeter now.

Are you still a commercial fisherman?

Awesom Life Story....Thanks for posting

I can only say one word.....wow! Thank God for the US Coastguard!

Thanks all for reading and comments. Gray dog, ya, still fishing and life IS sweeter. Afterwards for a couple days I was high on adrenaline and walked around like a rooster and then it hit me and I felt meek.

That story scares the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) out of me. Thank god when I was in the corps we were fighting desert wars and not at sea! Glad ya made it. Anyone know who makes the call if they go or not? Is it ultimately up to the pilots? The whole crew? Some pencil pusher somewhere?

Awesome story

Yes, they do. I fished Kodiak in the early and mid 80's. Had 2 power skiffs go out from under me, but no C.G. rescues, on those.
Waited to get to Juneau, for that.
Sure makes you respectful of life, and the water.

X2 Very impressive.

Served in the Coast Guard Reserve for 27 years. I went out in some awful weather but nothing that bad. Semper Paratus.

Dang , what a story. I would never get on the water again.

A guy I worked with went on a fishing trip off the Oregon coast many many yrs ago
Bad weather , the boat rolled , 9 of the 11 didn't make it.

WOW that is one heck of a story

Just think about it this way. You are one of the 4 in that coast guard team. Your orders are for the four of you to go save the five in the water under the most dangerous of conditions in a piece of machinery which is not much more than a loose assembly of thousands of moving parts which do not really want to stay together when it is nice out.
i don't understand how those 4 are able to walk given the immense size of the stones between their legs.

Hats off and a salute to the USCG.