The 36 foot power fishing vessel Euripos, with two persons on board, started taking on water and sank. The crew abandoned the vessel, getting into their 5-person life raft. A Good Samaritan heard a mayday call but could not determine the location of the source. When the Coast Guard District 7 Rescue Coordination Center received the Sarsat alert, they launched a helicopter, which located the raft, hoisted the persons aboard and transferred them safely ashore for additional medical check-up.
Two SARSAT rescues
09/19/08
Lake George, Alaska
In response to the SARSAT alert and aircraft reports of an ELT, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center launched a helicopter which located a downed aircraft and rescued two survivors. Subsequently, the search and rescue team located another downed aircraft with the active ELT and rescued one survivor. The three survivors, one with minor injuries, were flown to Mat-su Regional Hospital.
Three SARSAT Rescues
09/13/08
Manele Bay, Hawaii
Coast Guard District 14 Rescue Coordination Center received a SARSAT alert and contacted the vessel owner. The owner of the disabled fishing vessel was waiting for a friend who was en route to give him a tow into port. He manually activated his 406 MHz PLB when he became concerned that his friend was taking too long. The Coast Guard relayed the SARSAT position to him and he was able to phone his friend and give him his position. The friend later arrived on scene and towed him safely into port in Lanai, Hawaii.
Five SARSAT rescues.
09/13/08
San Diego, California
A skiff being towed behind the vessel Hot Shot II overturned in the surf. The two persons on board walked ashore on San Clemente Island with the 406 MHz EPIRB. Coast Guard Sector San Diego launched a helicopter. The crew of the helicopter located and recovered the two people and transported them to San Diego.
Two SARSAT Rescues
09/10/08
Neah Bay, Washington
Tthe Coast Guard Port Angeles Station received a channel 16 MAYDAY call from the owner/operator of the sailing vessel Positive Thinking. The vessel had lost its navigation equipment and was lost in the fog. The owner/operator activated his 406 MHz EPIRB and his 406 MHz PLB after contacting the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard launched two helicopters and a small boat to the scene. One of the helicopters located the distressed vessel and brought the small boat over to the distressed vessel. The Coast Guard vessel escorted the sailing vessel safely into port at Neah Bay, Washington.
Three SARSAT Rescues
09/01/08
Nenana, Alaska
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received a SARSAT alert as a result of an ELT activation near Nenana. This was followed by a downed aircraft report from another aircraft in the area. An Alaska Civil Air Patrol aircraft and an Alaska State Trooper helicopter were sent to the scene. Two of the four people aboard the aircraft escaped the crash without serious injury. The other two persons needed immediate medical assistance. The Alaska Air Guard dispatched a helicopter and fixed wing aircraft to transport the survivors to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
