Timely arrival, or where's a NY ER doc when you need one?

Posted by matsublog

Posted: June 10, 2008 - 10:27 am

From Mat-Su editor Joseph Ditzler:

Trooper dispatches Monday yielded another search-and-rescue story of the type so familiar to Alaskans, this one involving a family from Palmer boating in Prince William Sound.

"Trooper Sgt. Morrisett was onboard the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry M/V Chenega for a Trooper Ride Along Program from Whittier to Cordova. Within four minutes after departing the Whittier dock, the bridge crew noticed debris and possibly two people in the water.

"The crew of the Chenega launched their rescue skiff and pulled three people from the water. The victims were identified as Luke Renner, 28, Andy Renner, 31, and Andy's son Owen Renner, 8, all from Palmer.

"Luke Renner, the operator of their 22-foot Alumaweld boat, stated they were returning to Whittier and, within two miles of the dock, they took four or five large four-foot waves on the bow. On the last one they buried the bow of the boat into the wave, taking on too much water to bail.

"Their boat sank within minutes and Luke approximated their time in the
water to be ten minutes. The victims were all treated for mild hypothermia and attended to by two New York emergency room doctors onboard the Chenega. The victims were then transported to Anchorage Regional Hospital via ambulance and released.

"The crew of the Chenega should be commended on their quick actions in this rescue. All three victims were wearing their personal flotation devices (PFD's). The public is reminded to always wear your PFD's as in this case the boat sank very quickly, within minutes."

login or register to post comments