It’s always nice to hear when a program fully meets its intention, and particularly on such a commemorative occasion, although we certainly prefer having everyone stay safely afloat sans rescue.
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft which was diverted from a Titanic ceremony successfully coordinated the rescue of three persons aboard a sailing vessel 1,300 miles east of Boston on Saturday.
First Coast Guard District Command Center watchstanders, based out of Boston, were notified at 7:30 a.m. by Rescue Coordination Center Gris Nez, in Normandy, France, that the 40-foot sailing vessel UBU 7′s rudder was leaking, but the boat was still buoyant.
The Spanish fishing vessel Generoso Tercero was identified by the Super Hercules’ aircrew during the aircraft’s transit from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and was diverted to rescue the sailors. All three sailors are safely aboard Generoso Tercero with no reported injuries.
The Moscow Sea, a member of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), was en route to meet with the fishing vessel and transfer the sailors aboard.
The Coast Guard is issuing a marine broadcast to warn mariners that the UBU 7 remains afloat as a potential hazard to navigation.
“It’s amazing that three people were rescued using AMVER on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Luke Clayton, a public affairs specialist in Boston. “AMVER was created in the wake of the Titanic disaster. Passing ships had unintentionally sailed passed Titanic unaware of its collision.”
For more than 200 years, the Coast Guard has provided a persistent presence throughout the inland and offshore maritime realm as America’s maritime first responder.
Courtesy of www.coastguardnews.com.
I really would like to see a law that would force people to scuttle (Sink) their boat if they are abandoning it. Why would the coast guard leave a hazard just floating around . Maybe the coasties could find it and have some target practice.