CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 50-year-old man from a sinking sailboat 20 miles offshore of Baffin Bay, Friday.
The man in distress contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at Station Port Aransas through a personal satellite messaging service. Coast Guard confirmed with family members that their father was sailing in this area and was requesting assistance.
Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi launched an aircrew aboard a rescue helicopter to provide assistance.
The aircrew arrived on scene and located the vessel close to capsizing in 11-foot waves. A rescue swimmer was lowered to prepare the man for rescue. The helicopter crew hoisted both men and departed the scene.
“We are extremely pleased with the preparation that the survivor took in having survival equipment onboard the vessel,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robin Stotz, helicopter pilot. “Not only was he able to notify the Coast Guard of a life threatening situation through the use of a personal distress notification system, he also wore the proper survival suit for these types of unplanned emergency events. Without these preparations the outcome could have been completely different.”
The survivor was flown to Sector Corpus Christi where his son was waiting. No injuries were reported.