F/V EMILY ROSE Takes on Water Near Long Island, Alaska

Four crew members aboard the F/V EMILY ROSE had a close call Thursday evening, September 10, 2026, after their vessel struck a rock near Long Island, Alaska, and began rapidly taking on water. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic watchstanders received a VHF distress call around 9:15 p.m. and immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast while directing an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Kodiak to the scene.

Two good Samaritan vessels, the F/V LADY SEA and the F/V JACKLYN W, answered the broadcast and made their way to the F/V EMILY ROSE. Together with the U.S. Coast Guard aircrew, they delivered dewatering pumps to help slow the flooding. The F/V LADY SEA’s crew then tied to the F/V EMILY ROSE and pinned it against the shore to prevent the vessel from sinking while waiting for the tide to go out. Once the tide fell, grounding the vessel, the F/V EMILY ROSE crew patched the source of the flooding and tested the repair when the tide came back in. The F/V LADY SEA towed the F/V EMILY ROSE about 11 miles to Fuller Boat Yard in Kodiak for a full assessment, with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter FREDERICK MANN (WPC 1160) standing by to escort and monitor the situation. This incident demonstrates how much commercial fishing safety in Alaska still depends on other boats in the water.

Fast radio communication, a quick U.S. Coast Guard response, and two fishing crews willing to rise to the occasion reveal something important about the fishing fleet in these waters. Good Samaritan responses are part of the culture of Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, where boats routinely divert course, share equipment, or tie to a vessel without a second thought.

“Emily Rose and her crew made it home safe today because Alaskan mariners show up for each other and were monitoring Channel 16 for emergency broadcasts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Faulkner, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic. “Thank you to the relentless efforts of the crews of the Lady Sea, Jacklyn W and the many others willing to respond last night.”