Unalaska, AK – A fishing vessel has run aground on Unalaska Island. The TerriGail hit Alimuda Bay -- just southwest of Makushin Bay - at 2:50 pm, after having spent approximately 11 hours adrift and without power. The five crewmen aboard the vessel were successfully rescued by a Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter.

The TerriGail crew first issued a mayday call over the radio at 4:04 am. At the time, they reported that the 58-foot longliner had experienced a marine casualty and that they were located about 40 miles from Unalaska.

At the time of the call, the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau was patrolling the area and was located 10 miles from the TerriGail. After hearing the broadcast, the cutter proceeded toward the TerriGail, and then shadowed the vessel as the crew attempted to make repairs. When it became apparent that the crew would not be able to make the repairs and that the vessel was in imminent danger of running aground, the Morgenthau attempted to establish a tow but was unable to. A Coast Guard helicopter then delivered the fishermen from the TerriGail to the Morgenthau. No injuries have been reported.

This afternoon, a Coast Guard helicopter made an assessment of the vessel and the tug Redeemer was headed to the scene. The TerriGail was reportedly carrying 800 gallons of diesel fuel, and the Coast Guard is now trying to determine the environmental impact, says Petty Officer David Mosley.

"One of the reasons we have a helicopter over the top is determine whether there has been any release of that fuel," says Mosley. "If so, we will be working to make plans on what needs to be done to assess any type of environmental impact."

Further helicopter assessments will be made Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Mosley adds that the top priority for the Coast Guard was preventing loss of life.

"What is of note is that five fishermen were successfully and safely removed from a vessel that was adrift and were safely delivered to a nearby Coast Guard cutter," says Mosley.

In 2008, the TerriGail successfully completed a rescue of ranchers from Umnak Island when Okmok Volcano erupted.