SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Coast Guard aircrew, the crew of the Crowley container ship El Coquí, and fishermen from the fishing vessel Bonanza rescued four men from a life raft in Atlantic Ocean’s Silver Bank waters north of Dominican Republic, Tuesday.
Rescued are U.S. Citizens David Potts, 63; John Potts, 62; Andrew Cullar, 26; and Russel Case, 67, who were forced to abandon the sailing vessel Mariposa after the vessel reportedly struck a submerged rock and was then overtaken by a wave which caused the vessel to roll on its port side. The vessel struck another rock which breached the vessel’s hull and started taking on water while additional waves flooded the vessel before sinking. The vessel Mariposa was on a voyage from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to Portofino, Tx, with an anticipated stop in Key West, Fla.
Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center watchstanders received an unregistered 406 Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon signal Tuesday morning alerting of a possible distress approximately 180 miles northwest of Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft out of Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, to search for any signs of a possible distress or survivors. Watchstanders also issued an Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) and an Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) callout notifying vessels transiting in the vicinity to be on the lookout for a possible distress. The U.S. flagged motor vessel El Coquí, a 720-foot container ship, diverted to the location of the distress during the ship’s voyage from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Jacksonville, Fla.
Once in Silver Bank area, the Coast Guard aircrew acquired the emergency beacon located the life raft with the four survivors and vectored-in the cargo ship to the area. The Coast Guard aircrew also noticed the fishing vessel Bonanza that was accompanied by multiple small fishing vessels in the vicinity of the distress. Not having direct communication with the fishing vessel Bonanza, the Coast Guard aircrew conducted a series of low passes to gain the vessel’s attention before vectoring the vessel’s crew to the position of the life raft. The fishing vessel Bonanza crew was able to approach the life raft in the shoal waters and rescue the survivors. Once rescued, the fishing vessel Bonanza transported the survivors to the motor vessel El Coquí for further transport to Jacksonville, Fla, where the ship is expected to arrive, Thursday. No medical concerns were reported from survivors.
During initial search efforts, watchstanders used the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system which provided vessel profile information and various emergency contacts for the sailing vessel Mariposa. This information significantly contributed to search planning efforts and was available due to the vessel Mariposa’s 406 MHz Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon being registered with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“This incident underscores the importance of proper emergency equipment for vessels at sea,” said Lt. Hannah M. Boyce, Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft commander for the case. “We are all incredibly thankful those mariners were properly equipped. Helping those four sailors at their worst day at sea is why we fly.”
“This incident highlights the importance of having an emergency position indicating radio beacon that is fully functioning and registered in the NOAA database,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Borders, Coast Guard Search and Rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Our deepest gratitude goes out to the crews of the fishing vessel Bonanza and of the motor vessel El Coquí for selflessly responding in keeping with the honor and tradition of the AMVER merchant vessels that come to the aide of fellow mariners in distress.”
Registering your 406Mhz emergency beacon is the fastest and simplest way for Search and Rescue authorities to respond to your distress or confirm a false alert. All U.S. coded beacons must be registered through the NOAA US Beacon Registration.
The Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System, commonly known as AMVER, was established in 1958 that is sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. AMVER serves as a computer-based voluntary global ship-reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. Any commercial vessel, regardless of nation or flag, over 1,000 gross tons on voyages of 24 hours or greater is encouraged to enroll and participate in AMVER. Other vessels such as private yachts, research vessels, and even floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) can enroll. For more information on how to enroll visit http://www.amver.com and click on “Enrollment.”
Make a difference on land, at sea or in the air with the Coast Guard and visit www.gocoastguard.com to find out how to be part of a team.
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