U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

5 Jun 2009 Houston, US

The Coast Guard, along with the assistance of two Good Samaritans rescued four people from an oil rig after their boat capsized, 20 miles off the coast of Sabine Pass, June 5, 2009.

Wathstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston received a mayday call at approximately 8:45 a.m. from a crewmember on board the 25-foot Sea Ray reporting they were taking on water. A watchstander immediately issued an Urgent Marine Broadcast (UMB). Good Samaritans on board the Ms. Adrienne and Miss Amy responded to the UMB. The Good Samaritans reported that the 25-foot Sea Ray had capsized and all four people on board were able to safely swim to a nearby oil rig.

A Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65C rescue helicopter crew was launched, and a 25-foot response boat crew and 41-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station Sabine were dispatched to assist with the rescue effort.

The four people were taken off the oil rig by the 25-foot response boat crew and transported back to Station Sabine.

They were reported to be in good condition.

"In this particular case, the mariner made an accurate report of his position. If he was not able to provide us with a precise latitude and longitude, that's where the capabilities of Rescue 21 come in. Rescue 21 would be able to detect the boater's position through its direct finding capabilities," said Bill Segelken, Sector Houston-Galveston operations controller.