In the March 27, 2013, Beachcomber, there was an article titled “Two Vashon fisherman honored for heroism.”

After reading the article, I felt uplifted and inspired. Capt. Plancich and his three-man crew (one other crew member is also from Vashon, Dan Hardwick) and two others from off island rescued five seamen from the fishing vessel Heritage off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska.

Early in the morning on Jan 25, 2012, Plancich and his crew of the 119-foot Tuxedni were tied up safely in Kodiak when they heard a Coast Guard radio broadcast: Another fishing boat, the Heritage, was caught in a fierce storm and taking on water. The Heritage crew’s lives were in peril. They had abandoned ship, five in the life craft and two in the water in specially made suits. The Heritage was going down.

The Tuxedni rescued five men while risking their own safety to assist others in a dangerous situation. The Coast Guard was involved in another emergency but picked up the two men from the water when they could. The Tuxedni’s crew was commended by the Coast Guard for being Good Samaritans and helping their fellow mariners.

I have been looking for letters to the editor and found not a mention of these heroes and what they did since the original article. Well, I will mention them now. We are blessed and proud to have these brave men living on the island and in Washington state as our neighbors and friends. What a great example for our youth and for us adults. We certainly need more examples of this kind reported, especially in today’s news reports of horrible and sickening events.

Thanks to you and way to go, Tuxedni.

— Phyllis Smith