TheCOSPAS-SARSAT system detected two 406 MHz EPIRBs at 22 41.2N 075 53.0W, about 2 NM west of Seal Cay, The Bahamas. With 7 persons on board, the Fishing vessel Dreamer II became disabled due to a mechanical failure. After receiving the SARSAT alert, Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center launched a MH-60 Jay Hawk helicopter that located the vessel, hoisted all 7 people on board the helicopter and took them to Nassau, The Bahamas. There were no injuries reported.
Seven SARSAT Rescues.
11/29/2011
Approximately 36 NM east of West Palm Beach, FL
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB in position 26 52.0N 79 23.3W about 36 NM east of West Palm Beach, FL. The Pleasure Craft Loki radioed Coast Guard Sector Miami after experiencing engine failure and taking on water. After receiving the radio call, the Coast Guard requested the Loki to activate its EPIRB to help locate the vessel. After receiving the SARSAT alert, Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center diverted the CG Cutter Diamondback to the SARSAT position. The Diamondback located the Loki and towed it to port in The Bahamas.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/23/2011
Approximately 162 NM SE of Salt Lake City, Utah
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB in position 38 19.3N 110 32.1W, about 162 NM SE of Salt Lake City, Utah. A member of a hiking group activated the PLB after a student with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) got stuck in quicksand. The AFRCC received the SARSAT alert and contacted the NOLS, the PLB owner. NOLS contacted a member of the group and confirmed the distress. AFRCC then notified the Wayne County Sheriff's Department about the distress and its location. The Sheriff's Dept located and rescued the hiker.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/21/2011
28 NM east of Mayaguana, The Bahamas
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 22 17.9N 072 40.8W, 28 NM east of Mayaguana, The Bahamas. The power fishing vessel Capt. George, with six persons on board, ran aground. The Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center launched a helicopter to the SARSAT position. The helicopter located the 6 survivors, hoisted them aboard and transported them to the Mayaguana Airport.
Six SARSAT Rescues.
11/20/2011
18 miles south of Point Lay, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 69 31.1N 162 48.6W, 18 miles south of Point Lay, Alaska. An individual activated the PLB when his snowmobile had a mechanical problem. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and contacted the North Slope Borough (NSB). NSB contacted the Point Lay rescue center which organized a rescue team that located and rescued the individual. No injuries were reported.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/18/2011
Approximately 30 NM southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 37 40.5N, 122 59.0W, approximately 30 NM southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA. The crew of the fishing vessel Capt Jack activated the EPIRB because the vessel lost power and had no means of communication. PACAREA received the alert and dispatched a helicopter from Air Station San Francisco and a motor life boat from Station Golden Gate to the SARSAT position. The motor lifeboat towed the Capt Jack to shore.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
11/17/2011
Approximately 10 miles south of Cape Lookout, NC
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 34 24.8N, 076 38.9W, about 10 miles south of Cape Lookout, NC. The sailing vessel Jocale activated the EPIRB and made a Mayday call after the vessel was demasted. Coast Guard District 5 (CGD05) received the SARSAT alert and launched a helicopter to the SARSAT position. The Coast Guard also dispatched a boat from Sector Ft. Macon. The boat rescued the 3 people on board the vessel and towed it to Beaufort Inlet. No reported were injuries.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
11/17/2011
Approximately 15 miles southwest of Barrow, AK
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 74 04.1N, 157 06.0W, about 15 miles southwest of Barrow, AK. Three people became stranded after their snowmobiles broke down. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) received the SARSAT alert and contacted the North Slope Borough (NSB). NSB dispatched a rescue ground team that located and rescued the three people. No injuries were reported.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
11/16/2011
Approximately 60 NM east of Palm Bay, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 28 04.8N, 079 28.3W, approximately 60 NM east of Palm Bay, Florida. An EPIRB on the sailing vessel Egide was activated after the mast on the vessel broke. Coast Guard District Seven (CGD07) launched a HC-144 fixed wing aircraft after they received the located alert. The aircraft located the vessel which was disabled and adrift. The Norwegian Gem which was 20 NM away was diverted by CGD07 to the location of the disabled vessel. The one individual on the Egide was rescued by the Norwegian Gem. The EPIRB was left in the on position for tracking and for future salvage. No injuries were reported.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/11/2011
Approximately 300 NM northwest of Bermuda
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal at position 36 15.0N 68 00.0W, about 300 NM northwest of Bermuda. About 5 minutes after receiving the SARSAT alert, Coast Guard District 05 Rescue Coordination Center (CGD05) received a radio call from the master of the sailing vessel Triple Stars stating that his wife had been washed overboard by a 30-foot wave. CGD05 directed the AMVER merchant vessel High Jupiter to the SARSAT position. The Coast Guard also launched a fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, NC to assist in the search. The High Jupiter arrived on scene and removed the remaining crew member from the Triple Stars. Three fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City and the High Jupiter searched approximately 1,735 square miles for the missing person before suspending the search.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/07/2011
22 NM northeast of Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ EPIRB distress signal with encoded position 27 00.0N 77 00.0W, 22 NM northeast of Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. Coast Guard District 7 (CGD07) received the alert. Later the Royal Bahamian Defense Force (RBDF) asked CGD07 to assist with the fishing vessel Hideout, which capsized with 6 POB in the vicinity of the alert. CGD07 RCC correlated the cases and launched a helicopter to the SARSAT position. The CG helicopter recovered five persons from the water and delivered them ashore. One of the five was deceased. The RBDF continued to search for the 6th crew member, who is believed to have swum ashore.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
11/06/2011
Approximately 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ PLB at 68 09.6N 151 26.7W approximately 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. An individual on a snow machine activated his PLB when his snow machine broke down and he could not get to the nearest shelter which was 7NM away. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) contacted the North Slope Borrow (NSB) after they received the SARSAT alert. NSB dispatched a two man search and rescue party on snowmobiles to the distress location and rescued the individual. AKRCC updated the NSB search and rescue party each time they received an update from the SARSAT system during the rescue. No injuries were reported.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/05/2011
Approximately 320 NM east of Savannah, Georgia
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 EPIRB in position 30 39.5 N, 075 00.9 W, 320 NM east of Savannah, Georgia. The S/V Spring Moon's EPIRB was manually activated when the vessel became disabled. Coast Guard District Seven (CGD07) launched an Air Station Clearwater HC-130 to conduct a search of the area. The Aut0mated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue Systen (AMVER) vessel M/V OCEAN, located 80 NM south of the position, was diverted as well. USCG Communications Area Master Station Atlantic (CAMSLANT) issued a UMIB on HF and CGD07 issued an Enhanced Group Call (EGC). CG1711 located the vessel and maintained watch until it was relieved by the CG1720. At first light, CG1720 reported that M/V OCEAN had arrived on-scene. CG1720 reached their crew day limit and returned to base. The M/V OCEAN took the 3 survivors onboard without incident. The three persons reported minor injuries. The S/V SPRING MOON was left adrift. The M/V OCEAN will work to coordinate with RCC Bermuda to disembark the three individuals prior to their next port-of-call in Iceland on 17 NOV 2011.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
11/05/2011
Approximately 10 NM south of Mobile Bay Inlet, AL
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 EPIRB distress signal. At 1630 an alert with position 30 00.0 N, 088 04.8 W, 10 NM south of Mobile Bay Inlet, AL was delivered to Coast Guard District Eight (CGD08). Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a satellite phone call from the master of the 38-foot vessel Fountain at 1636 UTC, reporting the vessel sank and all four people aboard were in the vessel's life raft. The master also advised that he activated the vessel's EPIRB and launched flares. Coast Guard District 8 correlated the SARSAT alert with the satellite phone call to Sector Mobile. The Coast Guard Cutter Cobia was dispatched to the SARSAT location. All four persons were recovered and transported to EMS personnel at Sector Mobile.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
11/04/2011
Approximately 150 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ, EPIRB distress signal. After receiving an unlocated alert, Coast Guard District Five (CGD05) used the registration information and learned the S/V SHUNPIKER was underway and issued an Enhanced Group Call (EGC) to try to hail the vessel. At 1646 the signal was detected at 32 01.1N 075 59.4W approximately 150 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. CGD05 tasked a C-130 from Elizabeth City to the SARSAT position. CGD05 then handed the case to Coast Guard District Seven (CGD07). The C-130 arrived at the scene but was not able to communicate with the distressed vessel. CGD07 diverted an AM/VER vessel (M/V ER Albany) to assist the vessel. When ER Albany arrived on scene, they learned the vessel was disabled and had lost all electrical systems onboard. The crew of the SHUNPIKER stated they could not navigate their vessel safely due to inclement weather and had no working navigational equipment. The vessel was on its way to the Bahamas with three people on board. The three people abandoned their sailing vessel and were taken onboard the M/V ER Albany. The ER Albany was en route to Bermuda.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
11/03/2011
Approximately 20 miles northwest of Alqasuk Edward Burnell Sr Memorial Airport, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHZ PLB distress signal at 70 47.35N 157 59.49W, approximately 20 miles northwest of Alqasuk Edward Burnell Sr Memorial Airport, Alaska. An individual on a snowmobile activated his PLB when his snowmobile broke down. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center contacted the North Slope Borrow (NSB) after they were alerted through the SARSAT system. NSB sent a helicopter to the location of the distress. The crew of the helicopter located the individual in distress and transported him to Barrow. No injuries reported.
One SARSAT Rescue.
11/01/2011
Approximately 87 NM southwest of Barrow, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal at 70 15.1N 159 50.4W, about 87 NM southwest of Barrow, Alaska. The PLB was manually activated when a person on a snow machine fell through ice. The other snow machine rider pulled the person out of the water and took him to a nearby cabin. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received the SARSAT alert and forwarded the location information to the North Slope Borough (NSB) who dispatched a ground team from Wainwright. The ground rescue team located the two snow machine riders. As the one individual was seriously injured, a helicopter was dispatched from Barrow and transported the injured man to Barrow for medical care.
