Coast Guard crews routinely conduct cliff rescue training to maintain qualifications and to maintain proficiency in their rescue techniques in the event of a person in distress on a cliff.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Brandyn Hill.
MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — Coast Guard crews from McKinleyville and North Bend, Oregon, rescue six survivors from their 79-foot sailboat Saturday, approximately 80 nautical miles west of Crescent City.
Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received a VHF distress call at 3:45 p.m. from the crew of the sailboat Barlovento reporting the boat was disabled, taking on water and had a person aboard with a head and arm injury in approximately 60 mile-per-hour winds and 20-foot seas.
Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircrew to provide air support and a Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew.
The Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew arrived on scene and hoisted the injured person from the Barlovento and transported the person to local emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay.
With the Barlovento expected to lose power, Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders requested additional air support from a Coast Guard Air Station North Bend MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew.
The Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter aircrew returned to the scene and hoisted three people from the Barlovento and the Air Station North Bend Dolphin crew arrived on scene and hoisted the remaining two people.
All survivors were transported to Sector Humboldt Bay.
Sector Humboldt Bay was aided by a Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Oregon, MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew who hoisted the remaining two survivors and transported them to safety.
U. S. Coast Guard video.
“This case was a great example of a successful, multi-unit effort and highlights the importance of standardized procedures,” said Lt. Ryan O’Neill, a MH-65 Dolphin aircraft commander at Sector Humboldt Bay. “The careful coordination between the two helicopters with support from the C-27 Spartan allowed us to save all six sailors.”
Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders issued a broadcast to mariners regarding the abandoned Barolvento and requested that mariners transit the area with caution.
-USCG-
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