After utilizing an emergency position indicating radio beacon to alert Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders of their distress and location, the helicopter crew located the men in a life raft, hoisted them and transported the mariners to Hunter Army Airfield to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah photo.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65E Dolphin aircrew rescue two fishermen after their 34-foot fishing vessel sank 50 nautical miles offshore Savannah, Georgia. Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a report from Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of an emergency position indicating radio beacon activation from the fishing vessel Lady Diane plotting 50 nautical miles offshore Savannah. Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders contacted the vessel’s registered owner who stated the vessel was offshore fishing with approximately two people aboard.
Sector Charleston watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and attempted to contact the vessel with no results. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65E Dolphin helicopter crew diverted to the vessel’s position provided by the EPIRB.
The responding MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter aircrew arrived on scene, commenced searching and located two people in a life raft after they launched a flare to alert the aircrew of their position. The Coast Guard helicopter aircrew deployed the rescue swimmer, hoisted the men and transported them to Hunter Army Airfield to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah photo.
No medical concerns were reported. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
«The mariners demonstrated remarkable skill in deploying their lifesaving equipment, enabling our crew to locate them within minutes upon arriving on scene,» said Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Anderson, MH-65E Dolphin commander during the case. «The mariner’s effective use of their EPIRB and signaling flare played a pivotal role in the success of this case.»
“This case demonstrates the importance of having layers of communications effectively taking the “search” out of search and rescue,” said Scott Szczepaniak, recreational boating safety specialist, Coast Guard Seventh District. “Anyone venturing offshore, including recreational boaters, should consider carrying an EPIRB, and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), as an extra layer of security. A properly registered VHF-FM marine radio, equipped with digital selective calling and programmed with the vessel’s MMSI and connected to a GPS, should be your first layer of security. Cell phone coverage can be spotty or non-existent and phones are not built for the rigors of the marine environment and should not be your only means of communication offshore.»
–USCG–
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