Mast Snaps on Million-Dollar Catamaran
January 30 — Portsmouth, VA
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five passengers aboard a $2.5
million sailboat after the mast broke approximately 200 miles
off the coast of North Carolina.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 5th District Command
Center in Portsmouth received notification around 1:50
p.m. that the 55-foot catamaran Rain Maker suffered a
broken mast. The conditions were reported to be 40-mph
winds and 13-foot seas. USCG issued an urgent marine
information broadcast and prepared to launch aircrews to
respond. A 350-foot cargo ship Ocean Crescent responded to
the broadcast, but was unable to come alongside Rain Maker.
The Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived on scene at
approximately 5 p.m. and hoisted all five people, who were
in good condition, to safety.
“All five people were wearing life jackets and prepared
to abandon their vessel in a life raft,” says Petty Officer 1st
Class Allen Facenda. “We were happy to get there before
that became necessary.”
Report by USCGNEWS.COM; photo courtesy of USCG Air Station
Elizabeth City, N.C.Two Men, Dog Rescued at Sea
January 31 — Charleston, SC
The U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders rescued two
men and a dog when their sailboat began taking on water
approximately a half-mile off the coast of Kiawah Island.
Watchstanders at USCG Sector Charleston received
notification of the distress through Digital Selective Calling,
the one-button emergency transmission feature on the
boat’s VHF radio.
Watchstanders contacted the crew over the VHF radio and
found that the sailboat had become temporarily grounded, but
that everyone aboard was safe. The boat became free from its
grounding for a few moments, but then the crew reported
that they were taking on water and ran the boat aground 100
yards off of Kiawah Island. A helicopter crew from USCG
Air Facility Charleston arrived on scene first, followed by a
rescue boat from the Charleston Fire Department. The aircrew
hovered over the distressed vessel while the fire department
crew brought the two men and the dog aboard the rescue boat.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters to carry a marine
band radio aboard their vessel whenever they head out on
the water. Unlike a cell phone, which may receive spotty or
no coverage while underway, VHF radios are much more
reliable and are built for the marine environment.
Report by DVIDSHUB.NET; photo courtesy of USCGATV Riders Disoriented by Low
Visability on Saginaw Bay
February 9 — Cleveland, OH
The U.S. Coast Guard assisted two adults and three
children on Saginaw Bay after the family became
disoriented due to low visibility while riding on an
all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
Around 6:15 p.m., the family called 911 from their
mobile phone and was connected to command center
watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit. A
crew from USCG Station Saginaw River in Essexville,
Michigan launched a 20-foot airboat to locate the people.
Dispatchers used the caller’s cell phone signal to triangulate
the family’s position.
The rescue team escorted all five individuals and their
ATV back to shore. No injuries were reported.
“Being familiar with the area you are in is just as
important this time of the year as it is during the summer,”
says Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Settel, the assistant
command center chief at USCG Sector Detroit. “Check
the weather before going out, and be sure you are aware
of current ice conditions. Having a reliable way to call
for help, like a marine radio or an electronic position
indicating radio beacon, also is a must.”
Report by USCGNEWS.COM; photo by USCG PO 2nd Class
Christopher WolnerDozens of Boats Destroyed in
Marina Blaze
January 26 — Walnut Grove, CA
At least 14 boats were destroyed in a fast-moving fire at
Walnut Grove Marina. The fire started around midnight
and took several hours for firefighters to contain. The
boats were tied up in a series of covered slips along a
stretch of water known as Snodgrass Slough.
While a number of residents live on their boats full-time,
it’s believed all of the destroyed boats were unoccupied
at the time of the blaze.
Reports indicate that when the fire crew finally stopped
the fire from spreading, a boat engulfed in flames broke
loose from its slip and started floating down the river.
Firefighters were able to push it away from the marina
before it slammed into a dock near an 88-foot yacht.
County and state environmental and hazmat crews
were alerted to the oil spill and debris left floating in the
water. There were no reports of injuries, and the cause
of the fire is under investigation.
Report by KCRA.COM; photo courtesy of KRCAOperation Summaries
Learning lessons the hard way in the U.S. and Canada
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480 april 2015 | laKElaNDBOaT i NG.COMby Kate BushOpsuMs
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