web analytics

Coast Guard, partners rescue three stranded mariners from island in Federated States of Micronesia

Coast Guard, partners rescue three stranded mariners from island in Federated States of Micronesia. HC-130 Hercules. Air Station Barbers Point.
Archive image: U.S. Coast Guard Pilots Lt. Pete Maloney and Lt. Sean Bartonicek walk out toward a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules on Air Station Barbers Point, Kapolei, Hawaii, April 11, 2012. Air Station Barbers Point is part of the 14th Coast Guard district which is responsible for long range patrol and logistical support throughout the central pacific, as well as search and rescue response for the Hawaiian islands.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth.

HONOLULU — Coast Guard, Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) responders rescue three stranded mariners from the island of Pikelot, Yap, Monday.

The crew of the FSS Independence rescued the mariners, missing since July 29, and is transporting them back to their home on Pulap, Chuuk. There are no reports of injuries.

The cause of the stranding is unknown at this time.

«Partnerships» said Capt. Christopher Chase, commander, Coast Guard Sector Guam. «This is what made this search and rescue case successful. Through coordination with multiple response organizations, we were able to save three members of our community and bring them back home to their families.”

Coast Guard, partners rescue three stranded mariners from island in Federated States of Micronesia.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) responders rescued three stranded mariners from the island of Pikelot, Yap, Aug. 3, 2020. The stranded mariners were rescued by the FSS Independence.
U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force.

“This case highlights the importance of having a plan, and making sure your family knows when you are expected to return. Timely activation of the Search and Rescue System by the mariners’ families allowed us to quickly respond with surface and aviation resources. We greatly appreciate the support of the Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, and FSM.”

At 12:38 a.m., July 31, Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam (JRSC) watchstanders received a report from a local resident who relayed the report that a 23-foot white and blue skiff with three mariners aboard was overdue while transiting from Puluwat Atoll to Pulap Island, Chuuk a 21 mile voyage, on July 29.

JRSC Guam watchstanders spoke with the Chuuk State Search and Rescue Liaison and confirmed the report while also contacting the Commander of the FSM National Police Maritime Wing.

The JRSC watchstanders issued a SafetyNet (distress) broadcast notice to mariners, deployed an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Hawaii, and began querying possible volunteer commercial Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) vessels and partners in the area to assist with the search.

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
Archive image: a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
The KC-135 play a key role in providing aerial refueling support to U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations.
U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger.

Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu personnel assisted JRSC Guam with the coordination of partner agencies assets throughout he case.

The Air Force 506th Air Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron from Andersen Air Force Base was contacted and deployed KC-135 Stratotanker crews to search the area.

The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Canberra (L02) was also in the region and agreed to divert and provide search sorties with embarked helicopters while the FSS Independence departed from Yap to assist.

At 3:09 p.m., August 1, one of the Air Force KC-135 crews was completing the final leg of their search pattern for the day when they located the stranded mariners on Pikelot Island.

United States CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii lands on the flight deck of Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Canberra.
Archive image: a United States CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii lands on the flight deck of Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Canberra off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016, with twenty-six nations, 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Australian Defence Force photo by Lt. Andrew Ragless.

“We were toward the end of our search pattern, we turned to avoid some rain showers and that’s when we looked down and saw an island, so we decide to check it out and that’s when we saw S.O.S and a boat right next to it on the beach,” said Lt. Col. Jason Palmeira-Yen, the KC-135 pilot. “From there we called in HMAS Canberra because they had two helicopters nearby that could assist and land on the island.”

After discussions between the responding partners it was decided the safest course of action for both the response agencies’ crews and the mariners was to limit exposure to one another due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A helicopter crew from HMAS Canberra delivered supplies to the stranded mariners while the Coast Guard Hercules crew airdropped a radio and message block informing them the FSS Independence was en-route to rescue and return them home.

At 12 a.m., August 3, the Independence arrived on scene, launched a small boat crew and rescued the mariners.

*all times and dates are in Hawaii Standard Time.

-USCG-

For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

error: Content is protected !!