Archive image: A Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65E Dolphin helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913) in Abidjan, Cotê d’Ivoire, Aug. 12, 2022.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica Fontenette.
HOUSTON — The Coast Guard crews rescue two sailors whose vessel began taking on water 35 nautical miles southeast of Sabine, Texas. Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders simultaneously received a DSC distress alert and mayday call on VHF-FM channel 16 at 12:40 p.m. from the operators of the 31-foot sailing vessel Niamh stating the boat was rapidly taking on water. The sailors reported the vessel had suffered severe mechanical issues and was taking on water at a rate well beyond the bilge pumps’ capacity.
U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) and directed the launch of a 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Sabine and an MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Houston.
Once on scene, the RB–M crew took aboard the sailors and used a pump to partially dewater the sailboat. The Coast Guard boatcrew then transported the man and woman safely to Station Sabine.
Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a mayday call from a man and woman aboard the sailboat who stated their vessel had suffered severe mechanical issues and was taking on water at a rate well beyond the bilge pumps’ capacity.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Arocho.
No injuries were reported.
“For those venturing offshore, we recommend you equip your vessel with a VHF-FM marine radio so you can call for help beyond cell phone range,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Tahiem Roach, operations unit controller, Sector Houston-Galveston.“Additionally, you should perform a thorough safety check on your vessel to ensure your boat is seaworthy before heading offshore.”
For more information follow U.S. Coast Guard on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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