The Coast Guard in Anchorage was notified by the crew of the 60-foot BELLA VIDA that their vessel was taking on water near the Pleiades Islands southwest of Valdez Friday, July 8. The Coast Guard Cutter LONG ISLAND was in the area and launched a small boat with a dewatering pump and a rescue crew to respond to the distressed vessel. The Coast Guard took the BELLA VIDA under tow, and arrived in Valdez early Saturday morning.

The crew of the LONG ISLAND then received word that the nearby 32-foot NAUGHTY FLIER's propellers had become fouled in the fishing nets of the 30-foot fishing vessel JANELL MARIE. The Coast Guard again launched its small boat and rescue crew to investigate and conduct a safety boarding of the NAUGHTY FLIER. However, a good Samaritan diver happened to be nearby, and cut both shafts of the NAUGHTY FLIER free of the JANELL MARIE's nets. Both vessels were able to carry on without assistance.