The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal approximately 220 NM south southeast of Houston, Texas. The power cabin cruiser Raven struck an unknown object at sea which caused the vessel to sink. Family members of the person aboard the vessel called Coast Guard District 7 (CGD07) requesting assistance on the overdue arrival of the Raven. The EPIRB on the vessel was manually activated. CGD07 used the COSPAS-SARSAT position to locate the person in distress. He was found floating on a life raft.
One SARSAT Rescue.
9/14/2009
20 miles south of Barrow, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 20 miles south of Barrow, Alaska. This PLB activation was due to a snow machine running out of gas. Alaska Rescue Coordination Center dispatched a helicopter with a medical team on board to the scene. The crew of the helicopter found the individual safe and in good health. The rescue team flew him 2 miles south to pick up another individual who was with the individual in distress and transported both of them back to Barrow.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
9/13/2009
15 NM west of Lanai City, Hawaii
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 15 NM west of Lanai City, Hawaii. A boat operator called the Coast Guard for assistance over the radio. The boat operator did not know how to properly use his GPS and he was running out of gas. Coast Guard District 14 requested the individual to activate his EPIRB to help locate him. The Coast Guard sent out a small boat, which found the vessel and towed it to safety.
One SARSAT Rescue.
9/13/2009
28 NM miles southeast of Homestead, Florida
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 28 NM miles southeast of Homestead, Florida. The fishing vessel, Jan-Sun Shinning, was disabled. One of the people on board manually activated the EPIRB. Coast Guard District 7 was notified of the distress location by the COSPAS-SARSAT system. Coast Guard sent out a rescue team. A commercial salvage vessel took Jan-Sun Shinning in tow to a marina. All four people were rescued.
Four SARSAT Rescues.
9/12/2009
25 NM south of Barrow, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 25 NM south of Barrow, Alaska. An individual was traveling on his snow machine when he crashed. The individual activated his PLB. North Slope Borough received the SARSAT alert and dispatched a helicopter with a medical team to the scene. The rescue team reported that the individual was complaining of back and neck injuries. He was transported to a Barrow hospital.
One SARSAT Rescue.
9/10/2009
7 miles south southeast of Fielding Lake, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 7 miles south southeast of Fielding Lake, Alaska. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) notified the Alaska State Troopers. The State Troopers dispatched pararescuemen to the scene. A few hours later the rescue team located and rescued from their disabled boat. the two people on their disabled boat. The two individuals were rescued.
(Note: The alert messages were sent to the AKRCC from the backup USMCC in Wallops Island during the Contingency Exercise.)
Two SARSAT Rescues.
9/08/2009
17 NM east of Point Hope, Alaska
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 17 NM east of Point Hope, Alaska. Two individuals driving two four wheel vehicles activated their PLB when both vehicles became disabled. They left their PLB at the scene and started walking back to town when the Point Hope search and rescue volunteers found them. The rescue team escorted the two individuals back to town. The two individuals were in good health.
Two SARSAT Rescues.
9/07/2009
40 miles east southeast of Charleston, South Carolina
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 40 miles east southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Extreme waves activity caused the boat, the Capt. Smoke, to sustain severe damage. The EPIRB did not automatically activate. One of the people on the vessel dove under the submerged vessel and manually activated EPIRB. Coast Guard District 7 received the SARSAT alert and sent out a rescue team to the scene. The team was able to rescue the three people in distress.
Three SARSAT Rescues.
9/03/2009
15 miles east of Gulkana, Wrangell St Elias National Park
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal 15 miles east of Gulkana, Wrangell St Elias National Park. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center informed the National Park Service (NPS) that one of their aircraft, a Husky A-1B, had crashed. The pilot was uninjured. NPS sent their own aircraft to pick up the pilot and secure the ELT.
