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23 years ago today #6683964
12/05/19 11:32 AM
12/05/19 11:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
3
3 Fingers Offline OP
trapper
3 Fingers  Offline OP
trapper
3

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
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 !

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683965
12/05/19 11:35 AM
12/05/19 11:35 AM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,726
SW Georgia
W
Wanna Be Offline
trapper
Wanna Be  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,726
SW Georgia
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.

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683968
12/05/19 11:40 AM
12/05/19 11:40 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Offline

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,129
McGrath, AK
A sobering experience Jarl !! Thanks for sharing that !!


Mean As Nails
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683969
12/05/19 11:44 AM
12/05/19 11:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,441
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon Offline
"American Honey"
Sharon  Offline
"American Honey"

Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,441
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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 .

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683972
12/05/19 11:46 AM
12/05/19 11:46 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
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.


Eh...wot?

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683978
12/05/19 11:53 AM
12/05/19 11:53 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
3
3 Fingers Offline OP
trapper
3 Fingers  Offline OP
trapper
3

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
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 !

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683980
12/05/19 11:54 AM
12/05/19 11:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Offline
trapper
Trapper7  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Watching the brave rescues on Deadliest Catch and how those people put their lives on the line, they are the best!


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683985
12/05/19 12:06 PM
12/05/19 12:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
Pawnee Offline
trapper
Pawnee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 6,190
Kansas
Great story. Quite the experience. I’m going to read this to my boys tonight. Thanks


Everything the left touches it destroys
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6683986
12/05/19 12:06 PM
12/05/19 12:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,655
ND
M
MJM Offline
trapper
MJM  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,655
ND
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.


"Not Really, Not Really"
Mark J Monti
"MJM you're a jerk."
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: MJM] #6683989
12/05/19 12:09 PM
12/05/19 12:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
3
3 Fingers Offline OP
trapper
3 Fingers  Offline OP
trapper
3

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
Originally Posted by MJM
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. smile

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684011
12/05/19 12:45 PM
12/05/19 12:45 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,276
western pa
G
goldnut Offline
trapper
goldnut  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,276
western pa
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.



Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684012
12/05/19 12:46 PM
12/05/19 12:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,801
Beaman Iowa 55
M
Mike Cope Offline
trapper
Mike Cope  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,801
Beaman Iowa 55
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.

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684014
12/05/19 12:54 PM
12/05/19 12:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,655
ND
M
MJM Offline
trapper
MJM  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,655
ND
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.


"Not Really, Not Really"
Mark J Monti
"MJM you're a jerk."
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684016
12/05/19 12:55 PM
12/05/19 12:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
Glad you made it home OK,
How did the hunt go on the island?


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684024
12/05/19 01:08 PM
12/05/19 01:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
3
3 Fingers Offline OP
trapper
3 Fingers  Offline OP
trapper
3

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
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.

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684050
12/05/19 01:34 PM
12/05/19 01:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,059
Ames, IA
MikeTraps2 Offline
trapper
MikeTraps2  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,059
Ames, IA
Man that story gave me chills, even though I knew you made it, had to be the ultimate pucker factor!


Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure

Theodore Roosevelt
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684254
12/05/19 06:49 PM
12/05/19 06:49 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13,964
Michigan
thanks for sharing ,

Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684301
12/05/19 07:22 PM
12/05/19 07:22 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,547
NC, Orange Co.
QuietButDeadly Offline
trapper
QuietButDeadly  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,547
NC, Orange Co.
To the OP....Not many folks get to tell a story like that. Thank you for sharing it with us.


Life Member: NCTA, VTA, NTA, TTFHA, MFTI
Member: FTA NRA NWTF
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684312
12/05/19 07:33 PM
12/05/19 07:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,324
AK
F
FairbanksLS Offline
trapper
FairbanksLS  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,324
AK

I bet life is a little sweeter now.

Are you still a commercial fisherman?


formerly posting as white dog
Re: 23 years ago today [Re: 3 Fingers] #6684342
12/05/19 08:14 PM
12/05/19 08:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
Awesom Life Story....Thanks for posting


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




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