TheCOSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 50 NM west of Costa Rica. The vessel Black Pearl was en route to Texas via the Panama Canal when it sank. Coast Guard District 11 received the SARSAT alert and issued a request for assistance. One vessel did respond but was unable to locate the distressed vessel. District 11 launched a fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Sacramento which located the two men in a life raft. The Coast Guard Cutter Sherman was diverted to the scene and recovered the two persons.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
4/25/2009
3 NM north of Foxtown, Bahamas
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 3 NM north of Foxtown, Bahamas. Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The aircraft found nothing and returned to base. The site reopened and the Coast Guard launched a helicopter at first light. The crew of the helicopter found two persons on a rock near a capsized vessel. A Good Samaritan vessel transported the two persons to Foxtown.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
4/23/2009
60 NM east of Titusville, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 60 NM east of Titusville, Florida. The 26 foot power fishing vessel, Team Steigercraft, with six persons on board, was taking on water. The crew member manually activated their EPIRB. The Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center launched a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. All six persons were recovered. The fishing vessel sank.
Six SARSAT Rescues.
4/22/2009
42 NM southeast of Hilton Head Island
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 42 NM southeast of Hilton Head Island. The 48 foot sailing vessel Steel Oasis, with one person on board, was disabled and adrift. The Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center launched a helicopter to the scene. The helicopter arrived on scene and established communications with the vessel. The crew of the disabled vessel made an arrangement for a sea-tow back to port. There were no injuries.
One SARSAT Rescue.
4/22/2009
12 miles south of Barrow, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal, 12 miles south of Barrow, Alaska. A PLB was activated when a snow machine became disabled. The North Slope Borough Search and Rescue group responded to the PLB alert. The person on the snow machine was going from Atqasuk, Alaska to Barrow, Alaska. The North Slope Borough Search and Rescue group dispatched a helicopter with two paramedics to the PLB position. The helicopter picked up the person and transported him back to Barrow, Alaska. The traveler was in good health.
One SARSAT Rescue.
4/18/2009
20 miles east of Heber City, Utah
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 20 miles east of Heber City, Utah. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received a SARSAT alert for a PLB activation and the information was passed to the Wasatch County Sheriff Department. The Sheriff Department sent out both a ground team and an aircraft to the scene. The rescue teams located the individual and his son. The father suffered a back injury and was transported to the University Of Utah Medical Center by a Medical Helicopter.
One SARSAT Rescue.
4/17/2009
20 NM west of Kualapuu, Hawaii
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 20 NM west of Kualapuu, Hawaii. While the owner was scuba diving, the owners boat began taking on water. As he was trying to get back in the boat, the boat capsized and the EPIRB activated. Coast Guard District 14 received the SARSAT alert and launched a helicopter to the scene. The man was transported to Barber’s Point Naval Air Station with no injuries.
One SARSAT Rescue.
4/17/2009
78 NM southeast of Galveston, TX
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 78 NM southeast of Galveston, TX. The Coast Guard District 8 Rescue Coordination Center received a SARSAT alert for the sailing vessel Don Paco. District 8 launched both a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. In addition the Coast Guard broadcast a request for assistance to all vessels in the area. The Don Paco, with 3 people on board, was taking on water in the engine room. The aircraft located the disabled vessel. The air crews lowered dewatering pumps and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer to the fishing vessel and assisted in controlling the flooding. A Good Samaritan vessel, the fishing vessel Betty, towed the Don Paco safely into port.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
4/11/2009
41 NM east of Melbourne, Florida
The Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center received a radio mayday with no position. The power pleasure craft Daddy's Dream, with three persons on board, was disabled and adrift, 41 NM east of Melbourne, Florida. The Coast Guard District 7 launched a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft to search for the vessel. The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in the area. The Coast Guard issued an UMIB and launched the Cutter Shrike to the scene. Before the cutter arrived, a Good Samaritan the Karmon II, took the three persons off the disabled vessel. The three persons were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter. The cutter towed the vessel back to port.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
4/10/2009
9 NM north of Atqasuk, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 9 NM north of Atqasuk, Alaska. A person on a snowmobile activated their PLB when the snowmobile broke down. North Slope Borough tasked a volunteer ground team from the area which located and rescued the snowmobiler. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center forwarded all SARSAT updates to the North Slope Borough Search.
One SARSAT Rescue.
4/02/2009
68 NM west of St. Petersburg, Florida
The incident was on 2 April when the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 68 NM west of St. Petersburg, Florida. The fishing vessel Rose activated their EPIRB when their battery died and they began taking on water. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg made a radio call out for assistance. The Good Samaritan vessel, Sun Dancer responded and gave the disabled vessel a jump start. The Rose returned to port under its own power.
