Approx. 10 miles SW of Glacier Lodge, CA, in Kings Canyon National Park
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal approximately 10 miles southwest of Glacier Lodge, CA, in the Kings Canyon National Park. A hiker got off the trail, became lost, and activated his PLB. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center notified National Park personnel, who found the hiker. He was uninjured.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/16/2009
Approx. 600 NM southwest of Hawaii
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal approximately 600 NM southwest of Hawaii. The sailing vessel Alena Kai with one person on board was taking on water. Coast Guard District 14 Rescue Coordination Center launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The crew of the Coast Guard aircraft located the disabled vessel. A Navy aircraft came to assist. The Navy aircraft stayed in the area and helped vector the Research Vessel Thomas G, Thompson to the disabled vessel. The research vessel recovered the owner/operator of the disabled vessel. He was later transported back to Hawaii on a chartered vessel.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/14/2009
1,100 NM northeast of Bermuda
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 1,100 NM northeast of Bermuda. The owner of the sailing vessel Restless VI activated his EPIRB after he believed his vessel was attacked by a submarine. The Coast Guard Lantarea Rescue Coordination Center launched a fixed wing aircraft. The crew of the aircraft located the sailing vessel. The merchant vessel CMACGM Vancouver was diverted to pick up the owner and bring him back to the mainland.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/14/2009
23 miles north of Point Hope, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal approximately 23 miles north of Point Hope, Alaska. An individual activated the PLB when a vessel with four persons onboard became disabled. Alaska State Troopers notified village volunteers from Point Hope. The vessel made it to shore where the volunteers picked up the crew and returned them to Point Hope. There were no injuries.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
7/13/2009
Pamlico Sound, North Carolina
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. The fishing vessel Claudia Jean had capsized. The Coast Guard Lantarea Rescue Coordination Center contacted the owner’s wife and confirmed that the owner was out fishing. Lantarea launched a helicopter and a small boat from Station Hobucken. The helicopter located two people clinging to the cabin of their fishing vessel. The two men were hoisted on to the helicopter and transported to Air Station Elizabeth City.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
7/10/2009
20 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 20 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) called the owner of the PLB. The AFRCC was informed that a member of their hiking group was suffering from heat exhaustion. AFRCC notified Arizona Department of Emergency Management which dispatched a helicopter and the Pima County Search and Rescue ground team. The helicopter picked up the individual and transported him off of the mountain.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/08/2009
Bering Sea, 41 NM northwest of Point Hope, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in the Bering Sea 41 NM northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. A Norwegian row boater became exhausted when he encountered high winds and high seas. He called via satellite phone to Alaska State Troopers and gave approximate coordinates. The Troopers then sent the distress to the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC). AKRCC received Sarsat alert coordinates and then sent the message to Coast Guard District 17 (CGD17). The AKRCC and CGD17 sent rescue teams to the scene. Both fixed wing and helicopters with Pararescuemen were sent to the scene. The boater was rescued and flown back to Norton Sound Medical Center.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/06/2009
5 NM west of Sarasota, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 5 NM west of Sarasota, Florida. The sailing vessel Non-Sequitur, with one person on board, had run aground. Coast Guard District 7 received the alert and contacted the owner’s wife. His wife stated that the vessel was in route from Barrington Beach to Titusville, Florida. Coast Guard launched a helicopter and a small boat to the scene which located the grounded vessel. The small boat recovered the person from the vessel.
One SARSAT Rescue.
7/03/2009
13 miles east of Indian River Inlet, Delaware
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 13 miles east of Indian River Inlet, Delaware. A mayday call also was received about the same time. The Coast Guard Lantarea used both the EPIRB data and the Rescue 21 system to get a good location of the vessel. Lantarea launched a helicopter and a recue boat from Station Indian River to the scene. The rescue boat recovered the three people.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
7/01/2009
Florala, Alabama
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in Florala, Alabama. An ELT activated as a result of the crash of a U.S.Army Bell TH-1 helicopter. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center notified Army personnel at Ft Rucker, Alabama about the Sarsat alert. Ft Rucker personnel went to the Sarsat location and they picked up two survivors. The two persons on the helicopter were transported to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center with minor injuries.
