The owner/operator of the sailing vessel Wenlemir activated his EPIRB after losing power and becoming fatigued due to health problems. The owner/operator was sailing in the 2008 Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht race from San Francisco to Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. The Coast Guard PACAREA Rescue Coordination Center launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The crew of the aircraft located the sailing vessel and directed a Coast Guard patrol boat to it. The patrol boat towed the Wenlemir back to San Francisco.
One SARSAT Rescue
7/24/2008
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The fishing vessel Sea Breeze capsized and sank with three fishermen on board. The crews of two Coast Guard rescue helicopters from Air Station Atlantic City arrived on scene and hoisted two of the fishermen from the water as the fishing vessel sank. The Coast Guard continued to search for the missing captain.
Two SARSAT rescues
7/23/2008
Yakobi Island, Alaska
A Coast Guard helicopter delivered 2 pumps to assist the vessel. The distressed vessel completed their repairs to the hull and refloated the vessel at the next high tide.
Two SARSAT Rescues
7/22/2008
Halifax, Canada
Rescue Coordination Center Halifax assumed coordination and launched a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter to the scene. In addition they diverted 2 of their Coast Guard ships to the scene. The crew of the fixed wing aircraft located the distressed vessel partially submerged. The crew of the helicopter hoisted the owner/operator aboard the helicopter and transported him to Halifax Hospital where he was treated for mild hypothermia.
One SARSAT Rescue
7/22/2008
Clearwater, Florida
The fishing vessel Sir Martin E activated its EPIRB to alert the Coast Guard after a person on board severed his fingers in a fishing incident. The injured person was transported by a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter to Tampa General Hospital.
Three SARSAT Rescues
7/11/2008
Kauai, Hawaii
A small boat with three people on board capsized when a large wave hit it. The owner/operator activated his PLB after he dove back underneath the vessel to retrieve the PLB. Coast Guard District 14 received the SARSAT alert and contacted the Barber Point Air Station which launched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter located the vessel with three people on top of the vessel. All three persons were hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported into port.
Three SARSAT Rescues
7/11/2008
Azores in the Atlantic Ocean
The Coast Guard LANTAREA Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and diverted the M/V Schackborg to the area. Later the French Maritime Rescue Coordination Center reported that the UK sailing vessel Terra Nova was demasted and the crew was in need of evacuation. The M/V Schackenborg arrived on the scene and removed all three people from the distressed vessel.
Three SARSAT Rescues
7/03/2008
Cedar Grove, California
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the SARSAT alert and contacted the family of the PLBs owner’s. The family reported that the owner and another person were on a 9 day horseback backpacking trip. AFRCC notified Naval Air Station China Lake, which launched a helicopter to the scene. The two individuals were located with one of them suffering from respiratory distress. National Park Service transported the individual to a private medivac helicopter that transported him to a local hospital.
