M/S Prinsendam

Illustration for article titled M/S Prinsendam
Photo: DVIDS (Other)

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the M/S Prinsendam fire, where Coast Guard, the USAF, Merchant Marine and Canadian Forces (now RCAF) rescued all 520 passengers and crew from a burning ship in the Gulf of Alaska.

Advertisement

This feat is even more impressive considering how far the ship was from shore, and the fact that the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmer program had not yet been established.

Washington Post article is here (note future astronaut Bruce Melnick’s helicopter airlifted 109 from the ship - against orders I might add, as they feigned radio problems to start hoisting passengers):

Advertisement

This article (no paywall) has more detail on the rescue: