PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard assisted 34 mariners during multiple emergencies in the Mid-Atlantic region Aug. 18-20.
Friday evening Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders received notification that a 19-foot skiff had ruptured a fuel line with two adults and one child aboard. Coast Guard Station Wachapreague launched a 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium and towed the vessel to Wachapreague Town Boat Ramp. No injuries were reported.
Saturday morning Sector North Carolina received a call via VHF-FM radio channel 16 that the 43-foot sport fisher Bazinga ran aground near Roanoke Sound Channel Light 10 and was taking on water with nine people aboard. A commercial towing vessel arrived on scene to assist and reported the vessel was able to temporarily secure the source of flooding. A Station Oregon Inlet 29-foot Response Boat-Small arrived on scene, transferred the passengers to the RB-S, and transported them to Wanchese Harbor. The RB-S arrived returned to the Bazinga and transferred two station personnel to the sailboat to assist with dewatering efforts. No injuries were reported.
Saturday morning a 46-year old woman called Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders to report one of the kayaks she was with capsized. The woman was kayaking with her daughters, ages 13 and 15, and her 64-year old brother-in-law when the kayak with her 15-year old daughter and brother-in-law overturned. The woman pulled her daughter onto her kayak, however her brother-in-law remained clinging to the overturned kayak, unable to right it. A Station Cape Charles 25-foot Response Boat-Small arrived on scene and safely brought all the kayakers aboard the station boat and took them and their kayaks to Wise Point Boat Ramp. The 15-year old sustained a minor injury but did not require medical attention.
Saturday night Sector Delaware Bay received report over VHF-FM radio channel 16 of two people aboard a 37-foot vessel aground at Barnegat Inlet, NJ. A Station Barnegat Light 29-foot Response Boat-Small arrived on scene and recovered both occupants. One person sustained a knee injury and was transported to EMS at South Winds Marina. A commercial towing company recovered the vessel.
Saturday night Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders received notification that the 60-foot fishing vessel Moon Dog with 13 people aboard was disabled in Norfolk Canyon. Watchstanders coordinated communications with the people aboard and the owner of the vessel to ensure location updates and safety until a good Samaritan arrived to take them in tow to Ocean City, Maryland. No injuries were reported.
Sunday morning Sector Virginia received a call from a commercial towing company requesting assistance for two people aboard the 24-foot personal craft Serenity that was disabled 2 miles northeast of Little Creek Inlet. The two people aboard entered the water with floatation devices and were pulled by the current. Station Little Creek launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small. The boat crew recovered both people and returned them safely to their vessel before a commercial towing company arrived on scene to tow the vessel to Morning Star Marina in Little Creek. No injuries reported.
Sunday night Sector Maryland-National Capital Region Command Center watchstanders received a request for assistance from the operator of the 20-foot vessel Sea Ray that was disabled and drifting 4 miles southeast of Tangier Island, Virginia. Station Crisfield launched a 25-foot Response Boat-Small and obtained an updated position of the vessel via i911, a cellular tracking device. After the vessel was located, the operator was able to restart the engine and was escorted back to Pungoteague Creek. No injuries were reported.
“The safety of mariners in distress is our top priority,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Mast, the search and rescue mission coordinator for the District 5 Command Center. “The successful rescues this weekend are a testament to the commitment and professionalism of the Coast Guard and local agencies and personnel. The Coast Guard urges all mariners to maintain their equipment, adhere to safety protocols, and stay informed about weather conditions before going out on the water.”