The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ PLB in the North Cascade National Park, Washington. A hiker activated his PLB after he broke his leg. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and contacted the National Park Service. The National Park Service located the hiker using the SARSAT data. The Park Service airlifted the injured hiker to a local hospital..
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/25/2010
400 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal about 400 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. A PLB had been activated because a four year old girl suffered a seizure and was unresponsive. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center provided the SARSAT data to North Slope Borough Search and Rescue. A nearby Bureau of Land Management helicopter was tasked by North Slope Borough to bring the child to Kaktovik, Alsaka for medical attention.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/22/2010
50 NM west of Marco Island, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ EPIRB about 50 NM west of Marco Island, Florida. Three people on board the vessel Gulf Queen activated their EPIRB when they started having problems with their engine. Coast Guard District 7 (CGD07) received the SARSAT alert and launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The Coast Guard aircraft located the disabled vessel and determined that the vessel had engine problems. CGD07 broadcast a request for assistance. A Good Samaritan vessel responded to the request and towed the disabled vessel to Key West.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
07/21/2010
50 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal 50 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. An individual was leaving a mine as he was losing consciousness but was able to activate his PLB. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the alert and contacted Alaska State Troopers. Alaska State Troopers responded and launched a helicopter to the SARSAT location. The crew of the helicopter located the individual. The individual had a prior head injury. He was transport to Mat-Su Hospital.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/21/2010
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal in the northern section of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah. The owner of the PLB manually activated his beacon when his vehicle broke down in a remote area. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and contacted Tag-A-Long expeditions. Tag-A-Long then dispatched a rescue team to the distress site but they were temporarily delayed due to weather conditions. Once the weather cleared, Tag-A-Long continued the rescue mission and was able to locate the person in distress. No injuries received.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/19/2010
35 miles southeast of Mount McKinley in Denali National Park
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal about 35 miles southeast of Mount McKinley in Denali National Park. A small plane, with one person on board crashed, and the pilot activated his PLB. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center relayed the SARSAT position to the National Park Service, which recovered the pilot in good condition.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/18/2010
300 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal about 35 miles southeast of Mount McKinley in Denali National Park. A small plane, with one person on board crashed, and the pilot activated his PLB. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center relayed the SARSAT position to the National Park Service, which recovered the pilot in good condition.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/16/2010
35 NM southwest of Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ, EPIRB distress signal 35 NM southwest of Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts. Two people on board the vessel Live Wire activated their EPIRB due to fire on board. The fire destroyed their electrical system. Coast Guard District 1 (CGD01)received the SARSAT alert and launched a helicopter and fixed wing aircraft to the scene. A radio was dropped to the vessel and was used in communicating with the Coast Guard. CGD01 coordinated the tow of the vessel to Edgartown Martha's Vineyard. No injuries reported.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
07/15/2010
80 NM northwest of Key West, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal approximately 80 NM northwest of Key West, Florida. The vessel Miss Lily became disabled due to a battery failure. The crew of the disabled vessel activated their EPIRB. Coast Guard District 7 received the SARSAT alert and launched a fixed wing aircraft to the SARSAT location. Coast Guard District 7 was able to contact a nearby vessel, the Casy's Pride. Casy's Pride assisted Miss Lily by offering a new battery. Both people on board Miss Lily were able to continue on dsd their course after the installation of the new battery. No injuries received.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
07/13/2010
32 NM southwest of Neah Bay, Washington
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal about 32 NM southwest of Neah Bay, Washington. The sailing vessel Sutalara's mast broke and the crew activated their PLB. Coast Guard District 13 received the alert and dispatched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter made radio contact with the disabled vessel and arranged for a small rescue boat to escort the Sutalara to port.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
07/12/2010
70 miles east northeast of Anchorage, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ ELT about 70 miles east northeast of Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert for a small aircraft with three people on board. A helicopter was dispatched to the SARSAT location. The crew of the helicopter located the crashed plane. The helicopter transported the three people to Elmendorf, AFB. The three survivors were then taken to a local hospital.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
07/11/2010
Mt. Rainier, Washington
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal on Mt. Rainier, Washington. A hiker suffering from altitude sickness activated his PLB. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center(AFRCC) received the alert and contacted Washington State authorities with the SARSAT location. The authorities launched assets which were able to locate the hiker and take him to a local hospital.
One SARSAT Rescue.
07/11/2010
8 NM southeast of Cape Sitkinak, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal about 8 NM southeast of Cape Sitkinak, Alaska. The captain of the fishing vessel Nakat, smelled diesel below decks. Upon further investigating he found the galley on fire. After an unsuccessful attempt to extinguish the flames, the captain gave the order to abandon ship and manually activated their EPIRB. All four members of the crew made it to a life raft safely. Coast Guard District 17 received the SARSAT alert and dispatched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter located the life raft and hoisted all four crew members on board. The EPIRB was the only means of contact for the distress.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
07/08/2010
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ ELT in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. A plane with two people on board crashed and the ELT activated. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and informed the Colorado Civil Air Patrol(CAP) of the incident with the SARSAT location. The CAP coordinated the launch of a National Park Service(NPS) helicopter. The crew of the NPS helicopter extinguished the fire and rescued the two people.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
07/05/2010
24 NM east of Cape Fear, North Carolina
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal about 24 NM east of Cape Fear, North Carolina. The pleasure craft Heaven Bound ran out of fuel and was unable to make radio contact. One of the crew manually activated the EPIRB. Coast Guard LANTAREA Rescue Coordination Center received the alert and contacted North Carolina Sector,which contacted Station Oak Island, which was able to make radio contact with the Heaven Bound. Station Oak Island arranged for Seatow to provide fuel for the Heaven Bound. After refueling, Heaven Bound was able to continue to its original destination. All three people on board the Heaven Bound sustained no injuries and the Heaven Bound was able to return to port safely.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
07/04/2010
28 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal 21 NM southwest of Point Arena, California. The crew of the sailing vessel Catalyst activated their EPIRB just prior to their vessel capsizing. Coast Guard PACAREA Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and dispatched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter located the disabled vessel and with the help of a rescue swimmer hoisted the three people aboard. The helicopter transported the survivors to the Ukiah Airport where they were then transported to a medical facility.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
07/03/2010
21 NM southwest of Point Arena, California
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal approximately 35 NM south of Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. Two people were on board the sailing vessel Pac Man when the vessel overturned. Coast Guard District 8 Rescue Coordination Center (CGD08) received the SARSAT alert after the owner activated his PLB. CGD08 launched a fixed wing aircraft. The crew of the aircraft located the overturned vessel. The two people were hanging onto the vessel’s hull. Air Station Corpus Christi launched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter hoisted both people to safety. One person experienced back injuries and both were turned over to medical personnel for further treatment.
