The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 33 NM southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. The crew of the sailing vessel Audrey manually activated their beacon because the vessel’s were torn and the vessel experienced motor problems. distress beacon was manually activated due to torn sails and a motor problem. A MAYDAY call was received about the same time that the Cospas-Sarsat system alert came through. The Coast Guard LANTAREA Rescue Coordination Center had communication problems with the vessel so they launched two helicopters and two small boats to the SARSAT position. The vessel was located by one of the helicopters. The small boats arrived on scene and towed the vessel into port.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
1/20/2009
50 NM east of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Coast Guard PACAREA Rescue Coordination Center(RCC) received a phone call from a woman whose husband had called her on a satellite phone. Her husband was the only person on board the sailing vessel Carpe Diem, which was taking on water. PACAREA requested the vessel’s operator to activate his 406 MHz PLB. The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 50 NM east of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The PACAREA RCC made a call out for vessels in the area of the alert. The operator of the Cape Diem was picked up by a cruise ship, the Norwegian Star. The Norwegian Star was diverted 26 NM to pick the man up. There were no injuries.
One SARSAT Rescue.
1/11/2009
50 miles Southeast of Barrow, Alaska
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and passed it on to the North Slope Borough. North Slope Borough launched a helicopter to the SARSAT location. The crew of the helicopter located an individual with a disabled snow machine. The crew of the helicopter transported the individual back to Barrow.
One SARSAT Rescue.
1/05/2009
Near Kodiak, Alaska
The Coast Guard District 17 Rescue Coordination Center issued a request for assistance from nearby vessels and diverted a helicopter and supporting fixed wing aircraft to Cold Bay. The Coast Guard established communications with the distressed vessel via satellite phone. The Coast Guard air crew was told by the master that they had abandoned ship into a life raft onto Aghiyuk Island in the Semidi Group. Air Station Kodiak launched another helicopter which picked up the two persons on board the disabled fishing vessel, American Way. The vessel had suffered an engine seizure and was intentionally grounded at Aghivuk Island. The helicopter transported the two men who were not injured to Chignik, Alaska, without injuries.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
1/04/2009
3 miles east of Bayou Penchant, Louisiana
A helicopter, with 9 persons on board, crashed in a marshy area. Coast Guard District 8 Rescue Coordination Center launched a helicopter. At the crash site the Coast Guard deployed one rescue swimmer, who found one person alive and seven deceased. An eight person was later found deceased in the wreckage. The survivor was transported to Chabert Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana.
One SARSAT Rescue.
1/04/2009
60 miles southwest of Wainwright, Alaska
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and notified Wainwright Alaska Search and Rescue volunteers of the PLB activation. They dispatched a helicopter and a Search and Rescue ground team to the area. The helicopter crew located a hunter whose snow machine had broken down and flew him to Wainwright.
One SARSAT Rescue.
1/02/2009
455 NM East of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
The Coast Guard LANTAREA rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene and diverted an AMVER vessel, the Oxford Castle, to the area. The sailing vessel Imprevu IV was taking on water and the person on board requested to be removed. The Oxford Castle arrived on the scene and safely removed the person.
