ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard located a man and woman reported overdue aboard a 34-foot cabin cruiser approximately 36 miles southwest of Juneau in Freshwater Bay Sunday morning.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty located the two residents of Hoonah aboard the Surprise in Freshwater Bay. Both were safe and reported no medical concerns and were en route to Hoonah.
Both were reported overdue by a concerned party, reporting that their parents were overdue on a trip from Angoon to Hoonah. The reporting source last heard from them Friday when they called to let him know that they were getting underway from an anchorage outside Angoon to head back to Hoonah. The Angoon harbormaster reported they had seen the vessel Tuesday, and that they were underway for Hidden Falls approximately 20 miles southwest of Angoon.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau directed the launch of the Cutter Liberty to search the shoreline from Point Augusta to north of Angoon.
"We were able to locate these boaters with information provided by their family on where they were going and their expected time of return," said Lt. Kailee Evereteze, Sector Juneau command center watchstander. "This case highlights the importance of filing a float plan."
The Coast Guard recommends all boaters file a float plan and leave information about their trip with a family member or friend who is staying on shore. This life-saving device on paper contains all information that would help rescuers in case of emergency, such as how many people are aboard, where you are leaving from and returning to, how long you will be out and a description of your boat.
To obtain a float plan form, click here for a downloadable form.
Weather on scene was reported as three to four-foot seas with 15-knot winds and five miles of visibility.