On 25 June 2007, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 121.5 MHz distress signal 300 NM off the Virginia coast. The owner of the S/V Tyche activated his EPIRB when he ran out of fuel and food. The Coast Guard Atlantic Area dispatched a nearby Good Samaritan vessel, the C/S Crown Princess to the scene. The man was picked up by the C/S Crown Princess and S/V Tyche was left adrift.
1 SARSAT Rescue
6/19/07
Tula, Mississippi
The FAA issued a request for information for aircraft N20370, flying from Sylacauga, Alabama to Point Lookout, Missouri. The aircraft was reported overdue to the destination airport. The Mississippi CAP used the SARSAT position to locate the aircraft. The pilot survived the crash with two broken legs. He was transported to Memphis Medical Center.
One SARSAT Rescue
6/17/07
Barber's Point, Oahu, Hawaii
The second incident occurred on June 17, 2007 when Coast Guard District 14 received a call from a fishing vessel reporting their engine had overheated and their vessel was disabled. There were four crew members on board. The Coast Guard asked them to activate their emergency beacon so they could be found. At 0036 UTC the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 distress signal 11 NM southwest of Barber's Point, Oahu, Hawaii. The Coast Guard launched the Coast Guard Cutter Ahi, which used the SARSAT information to find the vessel. The Ahi towed the vessel to the nearest port.
Four SARSAT Rescues
6/15/07
Cook Inlet, Alaska
The first incident occurred on June 15, 2007 when the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 121.5 MHz distress signal in the vicinity of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Coast Guard District 17 received notification of a 121.5 MHz ELT located in the vicinity of Cook Inlet and issued a message for assistance. A HC-130 long range surveillance aircraft on routine patrol in the area noticed a small aircraft on the beach on Perl Island. A helicopter was launched from Air Station Kodiak to the area. The crew of the helicopter located the small aircraft. The pilot stated he collided with a tree while attempting to land near his cabin on Perl Island. The helicopter crew transported the pilot back to Homer, Alaska.
One SARSAT Rescue
6/12/07
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Coast Guard District One had received a mayday from the tuna charter vessel Abbie Emery. The vessel was having engine trouble and was disabled. When communications were lost with the vessel the Coast Guard launched a helicopter to search for the vessel. The general location passed to the Coast Guard before communications were lost was not reliable. The helicopter was searching for the vessel with negative results. The crew of the vessel had activated a PLB which produced a Sarsat alert. The PLB position was passed to the helicopter and within 10 minutes the vessel was located. Seven people were on board and uninjured. A Coast Guard cutter arrived on scene and escorted the vessel back to port.
Seven SARSAT Rescues
6/11/07
Nome, Alaska
Alaska Rescue Coordination Center had also received aircraft alerts of an ELT approximately 50 miles east of Buckland, Alaska. RCC Alaska received a report from a civilian aircraft that had located a crashed aircraft in the area with two injured survivors. The Alaska State Troopers (AST) responded sending a civilian contracted helicopter to the SARSAT position. AST transported the two injured people to Unalaskleet Hospital.
Two SARSAT Rescues
6/9/07
Wrightwood, California
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center contacted the wife of the PLB owner. She stated her husband was hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail toward Big Bear Lake. The Air Force contacted the California Civil Air Patrol, which found the hiker and requested a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter. The crew of the helicopter hoisted up the 71 year old hiker aboard the helicopter. The hiker was too exhausted to continue. The helicopter transported him to the Ontario Airport in San Bernardino CA.
One SARSAT Rescue
6/7/07
Upper Green River in North East Utah
The owner of the PLB, made a note in his registration information that the beacon would primarily be used for rafting trips, four wheel drive trips, and camping/hiking and that they would be on the Upper Green River in Utah from June 5 through June 10. AFRCC contacted the beacon owner’s mother who confirmed that they were rafting down the Green River. The Utah Civil Air Patrol launched two aircraft to aid the Utah Director of Aeronautics. There were 15 people in 5 rafts on this trip. One of the rafts overturned in the rapids. The beacon owner activated the PLB. The Utah Civil Air Patrol responded to the alert and three people were lifted out by helicopter.
Three SARSAT Rescues
6/5/07
Cape Canaveral, Florida
The Fishing Vessel Lady Helena was disabled and adrift. The crew initially made a Mayday call and gave the Coast Guard what they thought were the GPS coordinates. Coast Guard Station Canaveral launched a fixed wing aircraft and the Cutter Maria Bray to the GPS location but could not find the vessel. The Coast Guard then requested the Lady Helena to activate their EPIRB. Using the SARSAT data the Coast Guard aircraft and the cutter located the disabled vessel. The cutter towed the disabled vessel to Cape Canaveral.
Five SARSAT Rescues
6/4/07
Cape May, New Jersey
The British crew of the Sailing Vessel Honora activated their EPIRB when the vessel was demasted and disabled. Coast Guard District 1 launched two fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter to the scene. The helicopter crew hoisted both persons aboard the helicopter. The two people were transported to Cape Cod.
Two SARSAT Rescues
6/3/07
Charleston, South Carolina
The sailing vessel Lotus activated their distress beacon when the vessel became disabled. Coast Guard Lantarea Rescue Coordination Center launched both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter and diverted a nearby vessel to the scene. The helicopter arrived on the scene and the er crew hoisted all three persons from the disabled vessel aboard the helicopter.
Three SARSAT Rescues
6/3/07
Charleston, South Carolina
The Sailing Vessel Kintaro was disabled and Coast Guard Sector Charleston requested the crew of the vessel to activate their EPIRB to provide the Coast Guard with location information.. Coast Guard Lantarea Rescue Coordination Center launched a fixed wing aircraft and diverted a nearby vessel, the M/V Puget, to the scene. The M/V Puget arrived on the scene and removed the five persons from the disabled sailing vessel.
Five SARSAT Rescues
6/2/07
Cape Canaveral, Florida
The Fishing Vessel Sylvia Jean began taking on water and sank. Coast Guard Station Canaveral launched both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter. Coast Guard District 7 also diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas to the scene. The helicopter hoisted two persons from a life raft and one from the water. All three people were taken ashore and transferred to a Cape Canaveral hospital.
Three SARSAT Rescues
6/1/07
Talkeetna, Alaska
In response to the SARSAT alert the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center launched an Air National Guard (ANG) helicopter to the scene. A small private aircraft had stalled when the engine failed. The crew of the ANG helicopter located the aircraft and recovered the pilot. The ANG flew the pilot to Kulis ANG Base in Anchorage.
