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Coast Guard locates gillnetter in Port Moller after brief search

A concerned spouse in Hawaii triggered a look for her husband’s vessel on Tuesday.

The 32 foot gillnetter Plankton was traveling between Naknek and False Pass this weekend, but hadn’t checked in as planned. Coast Guard Petty Officer Meredith Manning says the two men onboard and the vessel were located Tuesday morning and are fine:

"The gentleman had gone out and he'd told his loved one that he was going to be contacting her every few hours during his trip," said Manning. "And while he was out, he lost cell signal, which happens a lot in Alaska, and his family member was concerned and contacted the Coast Guard." 

The Coast Guard was able to locate the crewman, who had safely arrived at the Peter Pan cannery in Port Moller. 

The Coast Guard used phones and radio to search for the vessel today, checking with coastal communities and other vessels in the area.

Manning says a situation like this is a good reminder for vessel owners to keep a good communication plan onboard. "You know, if the Coast Guard had been hailing him on the radio, he would have been able to respond and say, 'I'm safe, I just don't have cell service to contact my loved one,'" she said.  

"So it's just a good reminder to always keep multiple forms of communication on your vessel," said Manning, "whether that be a satellite phone, your cell phone, or a radio, and then also flares in case you get into a situation where you can't communicate and you need help." 

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