The sailing vessel Free Fall, with 3 persons on board, was taking on water. In response to the Sarsat alert, the Coast Guard launched both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City. The fixed wing aircraft arrived on scene and the crew located the disabled vessel. One person was injured with a fractured arm. When the helicopter arrived on scene, the helicopter crew lowered a rescue swimmer to assess the situation. The swimmer took the injured person off of the vessel and into the water for hoisting. In the process the rescue basket and cable were damaged. The weather conditions were very poor with 40 to 50 knot winds and 40 to 50 foot seas. The helicopter crew deployed a life raft and the injured person was placed in the life raft. A large wave tossed the injured man out of the life raft and injured the rescue swimmer. The rescue swimmer was recovered and because of the swimmer’s injuries the helicopter returned to Air Station Atlantic City. The Coast Guard then launched another fixed wing aircraft and another helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod. In addition the Coast Guard Cutters Mako, Northland, and Seneca wre sent to the scene. The helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene, located the person in the water and hoisted the person in the water. This person was later pronounced deceased. The Coast Guard launched a second helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City. When the helicopter arrived back on scene the crew deployed a rescue swimmer to the disabled vessel to check for the two other persons on board. The two persons were hoisted on board the helicopter and transported back to Air Station Atlantic City. Both of the survivors had minor injuries and were suffering from mild hypothermia.
Two SARSAT Rescues
10/26/2008
Kodiak Island, Alaska
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage received notification from District 17 Rescue Coordination Center that a located PLB was active and correlated with an overdue report for two hunters. Air Station Kodiak launched a helicopter to the scene. The crew of the helicopter located the two hunters safe on the beach. Their vessel named Ill Winds, was disabled. The helicopter took the two hunters on board and transported them to Air Station Kodiak.
Two SARSAT Rescues
10/23/2008
Concrete, Washington
A Skagit County Sheriff located the crash of a Stinson 108 aircraft. One person was deceased and two were injured.
Two SARSAT Rescues
10/22/2008
Adak Island, Alaska
A Good Samaritan vessel, the Blue Balard, sent an email message to the Coast Guard reporting another fishing vessel, the Katmai, was flooding and had lost its steering. Coast Guard District 17 received a SARSAT alert and launched a fixed wing aircraft to the scene. The crew of the aircraft spotted two strobe lights . The aircraft crew dropped two life rafts and headed back to base. On returning the aircraft had a companion helicopter. The crew of the two aircraft spotted one deceased and about 5 hours later they found four men in a life raft. All four men were wearing survival suits. The four men were rescued by the Coast Guard helicopter. Two nearby vessels, the Courageous and the Patricia provided assistance. The recued crewmembers suffered no injuries, and were transported to Adak Island.
Four SARSAT Rescues
10/14/2008
Salvo, North Carolina
The sailing vessel Monthelie, with two persons on board, was taking on water and their bilge pump was inoperable. The crew activated their EPIRB in case they lost communications. The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 17 NM east of Salvo, North Carolina. The Coast Guard RCC launched a helicopter . The crew of the helicopter used the SARSAT data to locate the distressed vessel. A small Coast Guard boat was dispatched to the scene and the crew repaired the pump allowing the vessel to get back underway. There were no injuries.
Two SARSAT rescue
10/09/2008
San Diego, California
The owner of the sailing vessel La Cenicienta lost control when the vessel’s rudder broke. The owner sent a mayday call and activated his 406 MHz EPIRB. The Pacific Area Rescue Coordination Center used the alert data and call to locate the vessel. A merchant vessel, the Vecchio Bridge was detoured to the location and the owner was removed from the sailboat.
One SARSAT rescue
10/05/2008
Wiscasset, Maine
Coast Guard District One Rescue Coordination Center received a SARSAT alert after a PLB was activated by its owner following an accident while kayaking. The owner had notified the Coast Guard via radio that he may be suffering from hypothermia. The New Castle Fire Department rescued the individual and escorted him to an ambulance.
