Coast Guard rescues two from fishing vessel Dreamer

U.S. Coast Guard District 11
Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie

Date: 11.18.2013
Posted: 11.18.2013 19:34
News ID: 116970

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin from Sector Humboldt Bay rescued two men from the 30-foot recreational vessel Dreamer near Fort Bragg.

At 5:58 p.m., Coast Guard District Sector Humboldt Bay received a mayday call that the vessel Dreamer, homeported in Fort Bragg, was aground just off Glass Beach. The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Noyo River and a helicopter from Sector Humboldt Bay. Additionally, they notified Fort Bragg Fire and Rescue, and Sonoma County Emergency Medical Services, who deployed their helicopter.

The rescue boat and crew from Station Noyo River, first to arrive on scene, found the Dreamer hard aground on rocks approximately 50 yards offshore and were unable to affect a rescue due to the hazardous location. The Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew arrived on scene at 7:28 p.m. and immediately located one of the survivors onboard the Dreamer.

The vessel was starting to break apart due to the surf pounding against the vessel and pushing it up on the reef. The helicopter crew deployed the rescue swimmer to the Dreamer and hoisted the survivor into the helicopter.

With the first survivor onboard, the remaining survivor was located in the water approximately 30 yards away. The helicopter lowered its rescue swimmer into the surf and recovered the remaining survivor.

With the survivors safely aboard and with the assistance of the fire and rescue crew, the helicopter landed and transferred the survivors to the ambulance that took them to Mendocino Coast Hospital.