The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz ELT distress signal near Hooper Bay, Alaska. The ELT automatically activated when a small plane crashed due to engine failure about one mile from an airport. Coast Guard District 17 received the SARSAT alert and contacted the local authorities who responded to the incident and rescued all four occupants of the aircraft.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
06/29/2010
28 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal 28 miles southwest of Seward, Alaska. A small plane with three persons on board crashed and the pilot activated his PLB. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and contacted the Alaska Air National Guard (ANG). The ANG launched a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter to the scene. The ANG crews located the crashed plane with three people and transported the three people to the Soldotna airport. There were no injuries.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
06/16/2010
Approx. 35 NM south of Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas
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.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
06/15/2010
Approx. 1050 NM east of Nantucket, Massachusetts
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal approximately 1050 NM east of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The PLB was activated by the captain of the sailing vessel Amadeus, when the vessel lost it’s mast in high winds. The vessel was a participant in the Newport to Bermuda race. Coast Guard LANTAREA Rescue Coordination Center received the alert. LANTSREA was able to coordinate a volunteer vessel to provide assistance. The sailor was rescued by the volunteer vessel but the Amadeus was unsalvageable.
One SARSAT Rescue.
06/10/2010
Unlocated alert
Abby Sunderland, the 16-year old attempting to sail single-handedly around the world, carried 3 emergency beacons on board her vessel: 2 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and one Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). All three were correctly registered in NOAA's Search and Rescue beacon registration data base. Ms. Sunderland's manually activated EPIRB signal was detected by India’s geostationary satellite (INSAT) at 1250 GMT 10 June, but with no encoded position (treated as an unlocated alert). At 1258 GMT, the unlocated alert was sent to U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA) Rescue Coordination Center. Four minutes after detecting the EPIRB, INSAT detected her PLB (1254 GMT). It, too, had no encoded position. Being an unlocated U.S. registered PLB, the alert was sent to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). At 1303 GMT, a SARSAT LEO satellite detected both the EPIRB and PLB signals. The PLB alert message was sent to PACAREA RCC due to the nature of being in a maritime location.
Ms. Sunderland was picked up by the French fishing vessel Ile de Reunion during June 12.
06/03/2010
18 NM northeast of Palm Bay, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ EPIRB distress signal 18 NM northeast of Palm Bay, Florida. Two people on board a Boston Whaler manually activated their EPIRB when the vessel3 lost power. Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center (CGD07) contacted the wife of the vessel’s owner, who gave them the specific location of the vessel. CGD07 then launched a boat to the location and the boat stayed with the disabled vessel until a commercial salvage company arrived and towed it to its home port.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
06/01/2010
1200 NM east of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ EPIRB distress signal 1200 NM east of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. The French sailing vessel, Helios, with two persons on board, was taking on water and sinking. The Coast Guard LANTAREA Rescue Coordination Center diverted the motor vessel Ina to the scene. The Ina arrived on scene and recovered both persons on board safely.
