Waesche Crew Member Dies After Injury During November Rescue
Wednesday, December 18 2013
A Coast Guard petty officer has died after being injured during a rescue near Unalaska in November.
The Coast Guard says Petty Officer Third Class Travis Obendorf died Wednesday in a hospital in Seattle. Obendorf was a crew member aboard the Coast Guard cutter Waesche.
The Waesche sent its small boat to rescue the 22-person crew of a stranded fishing vessel, the Alaska Mist, on Nov. 11. The 160-foot Alaska Mist had lost power and was adrift off Amak Island, which is north of Cold Bay. The Resolve Pioneer was also sent from Resolve-Magone Marine Services to assist in towing the vessel back to Unalaska.
The Coast Guard reports that Obendorf was aboard the cutter's small boat. He suffered head trauma during the course of the rescue, in which all 22 people aboard the Mist were transported to safety. Obendorf was flown to Anchorage and later Seattle for medical treatment. He passed away in Swedish Hospital during surgery.
This story has been updated.
D. Hunter on Friday, December 20 2013:
Deep regrets for the loss of EM2 Thompson. May God bless, comfort and protect his family and friends.
FSO Thomas Brunette, Air Station Houston on Friday, December 20 2013:
You served the Ethos, Shipmate! CAVU, rest in peace.
Nick Daniel on Thursday, December 19 2013:
You will surely be missed and never forgotten travis. You were a great shipmate and your memory will go forever in waesche future as well as fallen coast guard members. Fair winds and following sees my friend.
James Gregory on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Rest In Peace! True hero! Met most of the Waesche crew here at the PCR, very nice crew! Sad news for Alaska and the Coast Guard. Prayers for his family! Semper Paratus!
SK2 Roger Hughes - Veteran on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Fair Winds and a Following Sea Shipmate....you are relived....Prayers are with you and your family.
ME2 Gorham on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Fair winds and following seas shipmate. Rest easy.
Lou Conti, Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret), Past Div Commander Coast Guard Auxiliary on Thursday, December 19 2013:
The Coast Guard is a great Military organization filled with people like PO Obendorf. Rest In Peace Travis.
Mayor Shirley Marquardt, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Fair winds and following seas Petty Officer Obendorf. We will not forget you. "Aye! Coast Guard we are for you"
Jason Parker USCG auxiliary on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Fair winds and following sea shipmate your family is in our prayers semper paratus
DCC Perez on Thursday, December 19 2013:
Fair Winds Brother.....Rest easy in the arms of the all mighty. We got the watch
BM1 Kevin De Both, ret on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Fair winds and following seas, your tab is clear, your family is in our prayers.
BM2 Heather Davis on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Rest in peace shipmate
Robert W. Meyers on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Thank you for standing your watch and protecting "They that go down to the sea in ships".
BM1 Lazaro Lopez on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Shipmate your in my prayers. I hope your family reaches out to us because we just inherited a mother,father ect... you will not be forgotten.
Anne Leighton, USCG Auxiliary and STA Kauai Ombudsman on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Fair weather and following seas. You are a hero and rest in peace!
ME2 Perez on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Rest easy shipmate! We have the watch!
GM1 Stephanie Peacock on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Fair winds and following seas shipmate. We have the watch.
BM1 M. Firth on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Rest easy shipmate. We have the watch.
MKC Adam Abreu on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
It's a sad day for our Service. Thank you Shipmate, for being a true hero and sacrificing your life to save others. God Bless & rest easy.
ME1 G. Velazquez on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Rest easy shipmate. Prayers are with your family and friends.
MK1 Eric Lemanski on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Fare winds and following seas shipmate. You have done your duty and now may you rest in peace.
ME2 Jeremy Crawford on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Rest in Peace! We will keep your family safe.
EM2 Daniel Thompson on Wednesday, December 18 2013:
Fare winds and following seas shipmate. Rest in peace we have the watch.