The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 40 NM south southwest of Grande Isle, Louisiana. A helicopter crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot exited the aircraft into a life raft and manually activated his 406 MHz PLB. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center(AFRCC)received the SARSAT alert and contacted the registered owner who verified the beacon was on board one of their helicopters. AFRCC informed Coast Guard District 8 Rescue Coordination Center(RCC) about the information they obtained from the owner. The owner launched a helicopter and requested the oil rigs in the area to locate the disabled aircraft and crew. District 8 RCC launched a helicopter to the area. The call out from the rigs alerted a nearby Good Samaritan vessel. the pleasure craft Miss Adrian. The Miss Adrian rescued the pilot from the life raft and transported him safely into port. The cause of the crash is unknown.
One SARSAT Rescue.
2/21/2009
5 NM SW of Half Moon Bay, CA
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 5 NM southwest of Half Moon Bay, California. The power fishing vessel Della C, with three persons on board, was capsized by a rogue wave. One person was sighted entering the water and was thrown a crab float, but disappeared shortly after. The other two persons made it to a life raft. The Coast Guard PACAREA Rescue Coordination Center launched a motor life boat and the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast. Coast Guard Station San Francisco launched a helicopter, which rescued the two persons from the life raft. The search for the third person was eventually called off.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
2/08/2009
20 NM east of Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 20 NM east of Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina. The captain of the fishing vessel Beau Vin made a mayday call to the Coast Guard and activated his EPIRB as he abandoned ship into his life raft. Coast Guard District 7 launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The aircraft found the distressed vessel on fire and one person in the water. Coast Guard Station Oak Island sent a small boat and recovered the person and the EPIRB.
One SARSAT Rescue.
2/02/2009
40 NM east of Georgetown, South Carolina
The incident was on 2 February when the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 40 NM east of Georgetown, South Carolina. Coast Guard District 7 received the SARSAT alert and launched a helicopter to search the area. The helicopter located the fishing vessel Gladiator. The vessel was dead in the water due to mechanical problems. The radio on the disabled vessel had failed when the crew attempted a MAYDAY call. The vessel’s owner arranged for a sister vessel to tow the Gladiator and its crew into port.
