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Press Release | April 12, 2023

PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard, good Samaritan rescue 3 from aground oyster boat near Sargent, Texas

Coast Guard PADET Texas - Office: (281) 464-4810 / After Hours: (832) 293-1293

A Coast Guard Station Freeport 29-foot Response Boat–Small crew and a good Samaritan rescue three people from an aground 44-foot oyster boat near Sargent, Texas, April 12, 2023. The boat crew and the good Samaritan, who passed by in a shallow watercraft, removed the individuals from the boat and safely transported them to Joey’s Bait and Tackle in Sargent, Texas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy, Station Freeport) A Coast Guard Station Freeport 29-foot Response Boat–Small crew and a good Samaritan rescue three people from an aground 44-foot oyster boat near Sargent, Texas, April 12, 2023. The boat crew and the good Samaritan, who passed by in a shallow watercraft, removed the individuals from the boat and safely transported them to Joey’s Bait and Tackle in Sargent, Texas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy, Station Freeport)

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued three people Wednesday from an oyster boat that ran aground near Sargent, Texas.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report at 3:55 a.m. from the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office of an aground 44-foot oyster boat on the Intracoastal Waterway near mile marker 423.5 with three people aboard. 

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Freeport 29-foot Response Boat–Small crew. 

The boat crew arrived on scene but could not get close to the oyster boat due to the shallow water depth. A good Samaritan passing by in a shallow watercraft assisted in removing the three people from the boat and transferring them to the RB–S.

The boat crew safely transported the individuals to Joey’s Bait and Tackle in Sargent.

A safety marine information broadcast regarding the boat was issued. The vessel's owner will arrange for its salvage.

“We greatly appreciate our law enforcement partners in Matagorda for alerting us to this situation and extend our gratitude to the good Samaritan who assisted in this rescue,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Madison Robinson, communications watchstander, Sector Houston-Galveston.

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-USCG-