The Captain of the US Coastguard cutter, Elderberry, could not believe his eyes when he responded to a pan-pan call by the owner of a Farr 60, Dreadnought, who claimed to have run-aground in Rocky Passage, Alaska.

Dreadnought ran aground on a rocky bank, and despite the owner’s attempt to kedge off, the tide was ebbing quickly and the yacht was hard aground and beginning to heel over to starboard. The crew then rowed a Fortress anchor 250 feet out to port and attached the anchor rode to the spinnaker halyard. By winching the halyard, the crew managed to return the yacht to an upright position. Continual trimming kept Dreadnought balanced on an even keel until the tide returned.

The crew reported that they were petrified that the slightest breath of wind or movement aboard Dreadnought would cause the yacht to fall on her beams end. By the end of the ordeal the crew and owner were spent, and took the opportunity to enjoy some well-earned rest as the USCG cutter took them under tow and into safer waters.