A US Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew located and rescued an overdue boater in the vicinity of Little Susitna River near Anchorage Monday morning.
The aircrew safely hoisted the man and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
A family member reported the boater overdue to Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders after he did not return from a hunting trip on time Saturday night. He departed from a boat ramp in the Port of Anchorage bound for Point Mackenzie in a 17-foot boat Sunday. The initial report stated that the missing man was aboard a 10-foot skiff.
Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers and Anchorage Fire Department personnel searched for the overdue boater in the Knik Arm near Anchorage beginning Sunday morning when he was reported missing.
The search included two Air Station Kodiak helicopter crews, one from Kodiak and one temporarily based at a forward operating location in Cordova, Anchorage Fire Department boat crews and Alaska State Troopers.
While the search was temporarily suspended at night due to light, Sector Anchorage watchstanders continued to issue an urgent marine information broadcasts to alert local mariners of the overdue boater.
The boater was determined to be in good condition and left the airport with his family.