A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was used to evacuate a College of the Atlantic student and three government researchers from remote Mount Desert Rock, 25 miles offshore, on Friday.A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was used to evacuate a College of the Atlantic student and three government researchers from remote Mount Desert Rock, 25 miles offshore, on Friday.

MOUNT DESERT ROCK — Four researchers stationed at the lighthouse on this remote treeless ledge 25 miles offshore were evacuated by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter Friday afternoon.

The researchers, including a College of the Atlantic student, were picked up as a precaution as predicted surf from an intense low pressure system approaching from the west – and the northward turn of Hurricane Joaquin farther south in the Atlantic – would preclude removal by the weekly supply boat from Bar Harbor.

In major storms, high seas wash completely over the top of the 3.5-acre island. Waves from Hurricane Bill in 2009 smashed into the keeper’s house, shattering a wall and destroying several outbuildings. Seas at that time were estimated at 24 feet.

The granite light tower, which has withstood numerous hurricanes over the decades, has managed to escape damage.

“I checked in with the Coast Guard on Friday to let them know we had people out there,” explained Toby Stephenson, captain of COA’s supply and research vessel The Osprey. “We didn’t want them to be surprised,” he added. “They were the ones to offer to go out there and pick them up.”

Stephenson continued that by Friday, the water was too rough for smaller craft, and forecasters estimated it would be at least Thursday of this week before there would be a safe pickup window.

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