The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 37 32.48N 110 38.30W, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, UT. A solo kayaker near Bullfrog Bay was in distress and activated his beacon. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the alert and contacted Glen Canyon National Park Services. AFRCC relayed SARSAT information to Glen Canyon National Park Services to locate the kayaker. The Glen Canyon National Park Services launched boats to rescue the kayaker. The kayaker experienced hypothermia and was transported to Bullfrog clinic for further treatment.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 24
Location:
Approx. 119 NM southeast of Key West, Florida
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 23 40.5N 079 37.7W, 119 NM southeast of Key West, Florida. Coast Guard District 7 (CGD7) received the SARSAT alert, launched a HC-144 aircraft to the SARSAT coordinates and issued an electronic group call. Responding to the electronic group call, the merchant vessel Ocean Victory reported that sails were torn on the sailing vessel Anaab and the Annab needed a tow. The Ocean Victory provided communications to CGD7 until a Coast Guard Cutter arrived on scene and took the Anaab in tow. No injuries were reported.
Four SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 23
Location:
Approx. 300 NM southeast of Barrow, AK in the Arctic National Park
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 68 09.8N 151 33.4W, approximately 300 NM southeast of Barrow, AK in the Arctic National Park. The PLB was activated by an individual who was stranded on an off-road vehicle. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) received the SARSAT alert and forwarded the distress information to the North Slope Borough (NSB). Using the SARSAT location, NSB dispatched a ground team from Anaktuvuk that located the stranded individual and transported him to Anaktuvuk with no injuries.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 20
Location:
Approx. 87 NM northwest of Deadhorse, AK
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 70 34.4N 152 37.0W, 87 NM northwest of Deadhorse, AK. Two motorists became stuck on the ice, and activated their PLB. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) received the SARSAT alert and forwarded data to North Slope Borough (NSB). NSB dispatched a helicopter to the SARSAT location. The motorists were able to free their truck from the ice and therefore silenced their PLB. However, they quickly reactivated it when they realized they were almost out of fuel. The NSB helicopter located and rescued the stranded motorists.
Two SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 19
Location:
Approx. 14 NM west of Oahu, HI
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 21 36.8N 158 41.7W, 14 NM west of Oahu, HI. The crew of the fishing vessel Nani G II activated the EPIRB after the vessel became disabled due a cargo net getting wrapped around the vessel's propeller. After activating the EPIRB, a crew member severed his finger hauling in a fishing line. Coast Guard District 14 (CGD14) received the SARSAT alert, issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB), and dispatched a helicopter. Before the helicopter was airborne the Nani G II made a MAYDAY call to report the severed finger to CGD14. The CG helicopter located the Nani G II and airlifted the injured fisherman. The Nani G II freed the cargo net from the propeller and returned to port escorted by a sister ship.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 19
Location:
Approx. 1130 NM east of the North Carolina coast
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 34 44.0N 53 14.6W, the sailing vessel Petra with two people on board became disabled 1130 NM east of the North Carolina coast. The Petra contacted Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Denmark, and informed them they were abandoning ship. The crew of the Petra boarded their life raft and brought the Petra's EPIRB with them to mark their position. Coast Guard District 5 (CGD05) sent out a call to nearby AMVER vessels. Two AMVER vessels rerouted to the SARSAT coordinates provided by CGD05 but a Finnish naval vessel arrived to the scene first and rescued both people in the life raft.
Two SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 11
Location:
Approx. 25 NM west of Tampa Bay, FL
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 27 40.4N 83 09.3W, 25NM west of Tampa Bay, FL. The PLB was activated when the beacon owner's vessel became disabled with four people on board. Coast Guard District 7 (CGD7) received the SARSAT alert and dispatched a C-130 aircraft and a 45 foot motor life boat from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg. The Coast Guard boat located the disabled vessel and towed it back to shore.
Four SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 4
Location:
Approx. 49 NM northwest of Salt Lake City Utah
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 41 06.0N 113 02.0W, 49 NM northwest of Salt Lake City Utah. An F-16 of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) crashed in a remote area of the Utah desert. The pilot was able to radio Hill AFB before safely ejecting. The PLB was automatically activated upon the pilot's ejection. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the SARSAT alert andcontacted Hill AFB. Hill AFB correlated the crash with the alert. AFRCC provided Hill AFB with SARSAT coordinates. Hill AFB dispatched a helicopter to the SARSAT coordinates. The helicopter located and rescued the pilot.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 3
Location:
Approx. 170 NM southwest of Odessa, TX, in Big Bend National Park
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 29 13.3N 103 14.8W, in Big Bend National Park approximately, 170 NM southwest of Odessa, TX. The owner of the PLB activated her beacon after becoming ill while hiking. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the alert and contacted an individual listed on the registration. The individual reported to AFRCC that the solo hiker was hiking at Big Bend National Park. The individual then called the National Park Service Center as a precaution. AFRCC contacted the National Park Service Center and were informed they had already been notified by the individual and they were working the case. AFRCC provided the SARSAT coordinates to help locate the hiker. The National Park Service Center located the hiker and released her to park service medics for further medical attention.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 3
Location:
Approx. 43 NM southeast of Barrow, AK
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 70 39.9 N 155 31.0 W, approximately 43 NM southeast of Barrow, AK. Two snow machines carrying two people in each vehicle became disabled. They activated the PLB and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) received an alert from SARSAT. AKRCC contacted North Slope Borough (NSB) and relayed the distress and coordinates. NSB contacted the nearby village, Point Barrow, and a volunteer responded. The volunteer went to the SARSAT position in a snow machine and rescues all four people in distress. No injuries were reported.
Four SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 1
Location:
Approx. 45 NM east-southeast of Wilmington, NC
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 33 59.8N 76 57.8W, 45 NM east-southeast of Wilmington, NC. The Pleasure craft Will-O-Be radioed the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center, when one of their divers did not return at the expected time. The 60 year old male diver had been under 25 minutes longer than planned. Sector North Carolina Command Center issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and contacted Coast Guard District 5 Norfolk (CGD5) RCC, to brief them on the situation. While on the phone with the Sector North Carolina, CGD5 received the PLB alert from SARSAT. CGD5 passed the SARSAT coordinates to Sector North Carolina Command Center, who then forwarded them on to the Will-O-Be. The Will-O-Be used the SARSAT coordinates to locate and rescue the lost diver. No further assistance was required.
