Archive image: A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducts a search and rescue demonstration in Charleston, South Carolina.
The demonstration was performed for members of the media attending the State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson
CHARLESTON, S.C.— A Coast Guard MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew and a Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) crew rescue four sailors from a life raft after their vessel sank 20 nautical miles off Tybee Island, Georgia. Friday, August 2, 2024.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a notification at 2:30 p.m. via VHF-FM channel 16 from the operator of the Glacier Bay, a 26-foot catamaran, stating the vessel was taking on water with four people aboard, including a pregnant woman. The operator also stated they deployed a life raft and activated their registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
The MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew located the life raft and deployed the rescue swimmer to evaluate the situation. The rescue swimmer remained with the people aboard the life raft until the boat crew arrived on scene.
Once on scene, the RB-M boatcrew safely brought aboard all four people and the life raft and transported them to Station Tybee Island.
After their vessel sank, the four people deployed their life raft and were safely recovered and transported ashore by the Station Tybee Island boat crew.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
No injuries were reported.
Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) notifying all mariners in the area of the distress, directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Tybee Island boatcrew and diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew to assist.
“This case and its favorable outcome are a testament to being prepared on the water,” said Lt. Michael Allen, Sector Charleston search and rescue mission coordinator during the case. “When the mariners found themselves in distress, they contacted us using their VHF radio, utilized their life jackets, deployed a raft, and activated an emergency GPS locating beacon. They helped take the ‘search out of search and rescue, allowing us to swiftly recover and reunite them with their friends and loved ones.”
After their vessel sank, the four people deployed their life raft and were safely recovered and transported ashore by a Coast Guard Station Tybee Island boat crew.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah.
U.S. Coast Guard Station Tybee Island.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Department of Homeland Security.
The vessel was last reported as partially submerged.
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–USCG–
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