The Coast Guard assisted a 26-year-old woman from Metlakatla, Alaska, who was reported to have fallen out of her canoe and swam to shore near Tongass Narrows, Sunday.
A Station Ketchikan 25-foot Response Boat – Small crew picked up the survivor and transferred to her family in Annette Bay.
Coast Guard Station Ketchikan watchstanders were notified by Ketchikan Police Department that a woman had fallen out of her canoe near South Pennock Island in Tongass Narrows and was able to make it to shore but was stranded. The watchstanders informed Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders and dispatched the RB-S crew who safely retrieved the woman.
“The young lady had her lifejacket on which probably saved her life,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jacob Rupert, crewmember aboard the RB-S. “Once we had reached her, we took very good care of her - holding her hand, keeping her warm and fetching her canoe – until we reached her family in Annette Bay.”
Weather on scene was reported as 7 mph winds, 40-degree temperatures and 10-mile visibility.