Kodiak Island Search & Rescue

There will be a Avalance Awareness class at 7:00 PM on Friday December 16th at the Bayside Fire Department. This course is a traditional annual service presented in partnership wbetween KISAR and the Alaska Avalanche School. There is no cost to attend, but come early to ensure you get a seat. There will also be a presentation in the local schools earlier in the day.

  Kodiak Island Search and Rescue (KISAR) will hold a general meeting at7:00 PM Thursday, November 17th, at the Bayside Firehouse. The training which follows  is ice safety presentation by Dicky Saltonstall.

Hope to see you there!

The edge transition during high angle rescue can be tricky, but this team makes it look easy with the “Pike & Pivot” method.

A group of KISAR members came out Saturday morning for some basic raise and lower system training. The training was, despite the November chill, fun and informative.  We had a special guest instructor who illustrated some new techniques, and also new equipment.

KISAR members inspect a ropes system for safety.

KODIAK, Alaska — A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued two men from Raspberry Island just north of Kodiak Island Monday.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received notification from the crew of the 50-foot good Samaritan vessel Capt’n Sam stating they spotted a red flare on the southwest side of Raspberry Island near Butki Point at about 9:30 p.m. The good Samaritan crew reported they were unable to assist the two men due to shallow water depth.

The watchstanders directed the launch of a rescue helicopter crew. Once on scene, the helicopter crew hoisted the two men, ages 50 and 51, and transported them to Air Station Kodiak. The men were reported to be in good condition.

According to the men, their skiff became swamped and they were stranded for about 18 hours and exposed to the elements. They did not have communications devices with them.

“The Coast Guard would like to remind individuals to take emergency equipment with you when enjoying Alaska’s outdoors,” said Cmdr. Adam Tyndale, Sector Anchorage chief of response. “Emergency equipment should include communication devices, signaling devices, extra food and water, extra dry clothes and a personal locator beacon. It is also important to tell family, friends or the harbormaster your trip plans including departure and arrival times.”

For more information contact Petty Officer 2nd Class Charly Hengen at 907-321-4505.

Three years ago there was a group of construction workers trapped by bad weather atop Sharatine Mountain. KISAR successfully rescued these members, but the high winds scattered tents and other equipment all over the mountain.

On October 15th, in association with Kodiak Island Trails Network, KISAR members returned to clean up the site. Tom Walters with Maritime Helicopters sling-loaded the trash that the KISAR team collected.

The event provided our members with valuable experience with helicopter-borne searches and also handling of trail lines under a helo’s downdraft.

Afterwards, the KISAR members did some anchor setting and rappelling training.

KISAR ended up on the front page of the Daily Mirror. You can read their story, here.  You can see more pictures from the event at our Flikr Stream.

Harry and Brigid Dodge run Kodiak Treks

Kodiak Island Search and Rescue (KISAR) will hold a general meeting at 7:00 PM Thursday, Oct. 20th, at the Bayside Firehouse. KISAR members and interested persons are encouraged to attend.

The evening’s training will be a presentation on Bear Safety from noted local bear expert, Harry Dodge.