U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class James Warguez, an aviation maintenance technician assigned to Air Station Barbers Point, escorts members of a local family to a Coast Guard MH-65E Dolphin helicopter embarked on Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) for further transport to Weno, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 6, 2026.
The crew of Midgett rescued the family on April 6 after their 23-foot single-outboard skiff vessel went missing a week earlier in the waters of Chuuk State.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson.
SANTA RITA, Guam — The USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757) crew conducted the rescue of a family that had been missing for 7 days in the Federated States of Micronesia following a SAR mission. The family, of three members, returned to Chuuk State, part of the Federated States of Micronesia. April 6, 2026.
The Coast Guard Cutter Midgett crew located the missing boaters after receiving a report on Easter Sunday from authorities in the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. Embassy that the vessel was overdue.
“Our U.S. Coast Guard colleagues’ swift and courageous actions in this successful search and rescue mission not only reflect the highest standards of professionalism and humanity but also reinforce the deep and enduring partnership between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia,” said Jennifer Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. “This mission exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and mutual support at the heart of the Compact of Free Association, underscoring how our close relations translate into real, life-saving outcomes for our people.”
At night, the crew of Cutter Midgett visually located the 23-foot single-outboard skiff carrying the missing family, two men and one woman, in the waters off the coast of Chuuk State. The family departed Fananu Island on March 30 for the short passage to Murillo Island, but never arrived due to a failure of their single outboard engine. At the height of search planning, the predicted search area exceeded 14,000 square nautical miles in rough seas with waves reaching 10 feet.
All three survivors were rescued and uninjured. They were then safely delivered to Weno in Chuuk State for further transport to Fananu Island.
«National Security Cutter crews spend most of their time executing maritime law enforcement missions, often with our international partners,” said Capt. Brian Whisler, commanding officer of Cutter Midgett. “SAR cases like this one are not routine for our platform. Our bridge watchstanders spotted the small skiff in rough seas just after midnight, and that kind of situational awareness does not happen by accident. It is what this crew trains for, and I could not be prouder of how they performed.»
During the search and rescue operation, watchstanders from the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia / Sector Guam developed the search patterns and coordinated with Coast Guard Oceania District and Air Station Barbers Point personnel to launch an HC-130J Hercules airplane and crew from Hawai’i to support the search and directed the launch of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) crew from Guam. The Cutter Midgett crew, already conducting a Western Pacific patrol, diverted following a bilateral maritime law enforcement boarding with two embarked officers from the FSM in their exclusive economic zone, approximately 200 nautical miles south of Fananu Island.
“This rescue reflects the strategic value of maintaining a capable surface presence across the region’s vast maritime expanse,” said Lt. Cmdr. Derek Wallin, the Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator. “Without the Midgett’s proximity, coordinating a search across more than 14,000 square nautical miles of open ocean would have required significantly more time and resources. Time the three missing people may not have had.”
-USCG-
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
