Coast Guard rescues lost puppy from Black Point in Kodiak, Alaska

Courtesy Photo | Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Aguero, a rescue swimmer with Air Station Kodiak, carries Grace, an 8-month-old puppy, who was presumed lost after her owner's vessel ran aground near Black Point in Kodiak, Alaska, on Nov. 1, 2021. The puppy was missing for nearly 2 days after the crew aboard the fishing vessel Laura abandoned ship when their vessel ran aground. U.S. Coast Guard photo.  

KODIAK, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

11.04.2021

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Ali Blackburn 

U.S. Coast Guard District 17

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard rescued a puppy from Black Point in Kodiak, Tuesday. 

After a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrew, aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, conducted an over-flight of the grounded fishing vessel Laura, the crew located and rescued a puppy belonging to one of the crewmembers.

The 8-month-old, 80-pound pit bull/black lab mix named Grace was located on a cliffside near the grounded vessel. After spending almost two days on her own, Grace was safely transported back to her owner, who was waiting at the air station in Kodiak. 

“She wagged her tail a little bit and told me that she was doing okay,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Aguero, a rescue swimmer at Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak. “The puppy spent 36 hours between the bow of the ship, the breaking surf and then the rocky shoreline. It was a happy moment to reunite the puppy with the owner.”

Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Kodiak personnel are currently working with the owner on a salvage plan for the vessel and monitoring cleanup efforts.

The location of the grounding was misidentified as Black Rock in a previous release.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2021
• Date Posted: 11.05.2021 17:55
• Story ID: 408700
• Location: KODIAK, ALASKA, US