The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 35 34.2N 075 08.9W, approximately 28 NM northeast of Cape Hatteras, NC. Coast Guard District 5 received the alert and contacted nearby Sector Station Oregon Inlet. Station Oregon Inlet contacted with Big Tahuna on VHF radio. The Big Tahuna reported that it was disabled and adrift with seven people on board. The Sector launched a 47' vessel and towed the Big Tahuna to port.
Seven SARSAT rescues.
Date:
March 16
Location:
Approx. 23 NM northeast of Phoenix, AZ
in the Mazatzal Wilderness Area of the Tonto National Forest
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 34 06.1N 111 30.6W, approximately 23 NM northeast of Phoenix, AZ in the Mazatzal Wilderness Area of the Tonto National Forest. A hiker activated the PLB after becoming lost. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the alert and contacted the Department Emergency Management (DEM). DEM had received a call from the hiker and requested cell phone forensics to triangulate the position. DEM launched search teams from Maricopa County as well as the Arizona Department of Public Safety. AFRCC provided the SARSAT coordinates to the Arizona Department of Public Safety to locate the hiker. Arizona Department of Public Safety rescued the lost hiker.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
March 11
Location:
Approx. 6 NM northwest of Dimas, Cuba
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 22 33.0N, 084 19.5W, approximately 6 NM northwest of Dimas, Cuba. The crew of the sailing vessel Satori manually activated the EPIRB when the vessel ran aground. Coast Guard District 7 (CGD07) received the SARSAT alert and later a call from the vessel requesting assistance. U.S. Interests Section Havana (USINT) was notified and CGD07 released a SAR TELEX. The Cuban Border Guard (CUBG) rescued all four crew members and transported them to a safety in Playa el Morrillo, Cuba. There were no reported injuries.
Four SARSAT rescues.
Date:
March 10
Location:
Approx. 12 NM southwest of Nuiqsut, AK
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 70 01.7N, 151 25.4W, approximately 12 NM southwest of Nuiqsut, AK. An individual activated their PLB when their snow machine became disabled. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) contacted the North Slope Borough (NSB) after they received the first alert through the SARSAT system. NSB organized a ground search and rescue team from a nearby town that located and rescued the individual. No injuries were reported.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
March 8
Location:
Approx. 400 NM southeast of Miami, FL
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 22 44.0N, 073 54.1W, approximately 400 NM southeast of Miami, FL. Coast Guard District Seven (CGD07)received the SARSAT alert at 1529 UTC the sailing vessel Fantasy Name Poseidon Elusive. The SARSAT alert correlated with the owner name and position of a SPOT alert transmitted from the vessel. CGD07 notified the Royal Bahamian Defense Force (RBDF). The RBDF launched a small boat in search of the distressed vessel and was completed with negative results. CGD07 requested permission from the RBDF to search in the Bahamian area and launched a MH-60 helicopter to the SARSAT coordinates. The helicopter located the owner and the demasted and capsized vessel. The owner informed CGD07 that he managed to get ashore when his engine failed six days before. The owner was transferred to EMS afterwards. No injuries reported.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
March 6
Location:
Approx. 62 NM SE of Barrow, Alaska
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal at 70 29 29N, 154 50 20W, approximately 62 NM SE of Barrow, Alaska. The driver of a disabled snow machine was not carrying an emergency beacon. A convoy of 9-10 trucks traveling overland from Deadhouse to Barrow, Alaska observed the individual on the disabled snow machine. One of the truckers activated his PLB when he recognized the snow machine driver was showing symptoms of hyperthermia. The trucker called Barrow Police via SATPHONE to report the situation. North Slope Borough (NSB) Search & Rescue received the first alert from the SARSAT system and responded with a B412 helicopter which flew to the snow machine driver at the provided SARSAT coordinates. The snow machine driver was flown to Barrow and released to medical personnel.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
March 5
Location:
Approx. 13 NM from Astoria, Oregon
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal at 46 11.0N, 124 07.0W, 13 NM from Astoria, Oregon. A Columbia River Bar Pilot fell overboard while transferring from the M/V Navos Ionan to her pilot boat the Chinook. The Chinook crew threw an EPIRB overboard when both vessels had lost sight of the overboard pilot. The Chinook also notified CG Station (CGS) Columbia River of the emergency situation. CGD13 received the first alert from the SARSAT system and contacted CGS Columbia River to forward them the SARSAT coordinates. CGS Columbia River forwarded the SARSAT coordinates to the Chinook which used them to locate and rescue the overboard pilot. The pilot was treated for hypothermia by local EMS.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
March 3
Location:
Approx. 55 NM NW of Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz signal at 23 07.52N, 084 52.30W, approximately 55 NM NW of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. The sailing vessel Hokulani was severely damaged due to heavy seas. The Master was unsure if he could make it back ashore safely and manually activated his EPIRB. The Master then contacted Coast Guard District 7(CGD07) to report the situation. CGD07 received the first alert from the SARSAT system and directed Air Station Miami to launch a HC-144 aircraft and requested assistance from the AMVER vessel C/S Norwegian Star. The HC-144 and the C/S Norwegian Star arrived on scene and the C/S Norwegian Star rescued both people onboard the Hokulani. The C/S Norwegian Star returned both survivors to Tampa, FL with no reported injuries.
Two SARSAT rescues.
Date:
March 1
Location:
Approx. 10 NM NW of San Bernardino, CA
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz signal at 34 13.0N, 117 28.2W, approximately 10 NM NW of San Bernardino, CA. Two men were hiking in the San Bernardino National Forest when one of the hikers fell and injured his leg. The hikers activated their PLB when they were unable to walk back together. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the first alert from the SARSAT system and contacted the California Emergency Management Agency (CAL EMA). CAL EMA then contacted the County Sheriff's department which rescued the hikers. Both hikers were treated for minor injuries.
Two SARSAT rescues.
Date:
March 1
Location:
Approx. 20 NM SE of Everglades Airport, FL
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal at 25 30.1N, 081 17.1W, approximately 20 NM SE of Everglades Airport, FL. The owner of the sailing vessel sent a text message to his wife by SPOT stating "help not injured but in distress call Tow Boat US" when his vessel de-masted. The owner of the vessel also activated his EPIRB when the SPOT coordinates failed. Coast Guard District Seven (CGD07) received both alerts and correlated the 406 MHz signal with the initial SPOT report. CGD07 contacted the wife of the registered beacon owner after they were alerted through the SARSAT system. The wife informed CGD07 that she had called 911 and was transferred to Sector Saint Pete after she received the SPOT distress from her husband stating that he needed a tow. She had also called Tow Boat US to assist. CGD07 called Sector Saint Pete and informed the owners that Sector Key West (SECKWT) was handling the case. CGD07 diverted AIRMIA MH-65 to the SARSAT coordinates and it remained on scene until the tow boat arrived. The tow boat took disabled vessel in tow with the two survivors aboard. No injuries reported.
