The Coast Guard rescued two boaters Sunday from a disabled sailing vessel 43 miles off North Island, Louisiana.
Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders received multiple call alerts and a mayday transmission at 10:09 a.m. from the crew of the Athena, a 34-foot sailing vessel. The Coast Guard Eighth District command center also says it received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert.
The Coast Guard command center issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a Coast Guard Station Sabine 45-foot Response Boat, a Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator.
The Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on scene, established communications with the sailing vessel and determined the vessel's helm had stripped off during a storm. The rescue crew proceeded to hoist the two boaters from the vessel. The boaters were then transported to Lake Charles for a medical evaluation.
"This case exemplifies the importance of providing a GPS position in a maritime emergency and filing a float plan before departing," said Lt. Cmdr. Ian Murray, search and rescue mission coordinator, Sector Houston-Galveston. "Because the Athena crew utilized their VHF radio, activated their EPIRB and left a float plan with their family ashore, we were able to acquire a position for the vessel, allowing our rescue crew to arrive promptly and render assistance."
