Coast Guard, partners rescue six mariners off Federated States of Micronesia

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West | An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew successfully medevaced a 51-year-old crewmember from the a Japanese-flagged fishing 1,501 miles east of Guam on Wake Island, Feb. 9, 2021. He was reported to be in stable condition. (U.S. Coast Guard photo illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew West/Released)  

SANTA RITA, GUAM

11.11.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class David Graham 

U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific

SANTA RITA, Guam — The Coast Guard, Federated States of Micronesia first responders, good Samaritans and the Navy rescued six mariners off the Mortlock Islands, Chuuk State, Thursday.

The crew of the FSS Micronesia rescued the mariners, last seen on Nov 3rd, and is currently transporting them back to the Oneop Atoll, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia.

All six mariners were reported to be in stable condition.

“The combined efforts displayed by our partners in the Federated States of Micronesia resulted in the success of saving the six mariners and bringing them back to safety,” said Cmrd. Greg Sickels, the Coast Guard Forces Micronesia | Sector Guam Deputy Commander. “These partnerships are paramount in the overall success of search and rescue missions in the Pacific.”

At 9:17 a.m., Nov 4th, Coast Guard Forces Micronesia | Sector Guam watchstanders received a report from the Mayor’s office on Oneop Atoll in Chuuk stating the 24-foot skiff with 6 people aboard was overdue.

Upon notification, the Federated States of Micronesia authorities deployed the crew of the FSS Micronesia while multiple Coast Guard assets were deployed with good Samaritans and a Navy P-8 Trident aircrew also joining in the search.

The Navy P-8 aircrew located the missing skiff approximately 40 nautical miles Southeast of the Mortlock Islands, FSM, at which point the crew of the FSS Micronesia diverted their original route, arrived on scene, and rescued the six mariners at approximately 11:30 p.m., Thursday.

Involved in the search:

The crew of the FSS Micronesia
Two Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Frederick Hatch
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sequoia
Coast Guard Forces Micronesia | Sector Guam watchstanders
Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center watchstanders
A Navy P-8 Trident aircrew
A Caroline Islands Air aircrew
Local good Samaritans

*All times are in Chamorro Standard Time

• Date Taken: 11.11.2021
• Date Posted: 11.11.2021 23:16
• Story ID: 409221
• Location: SANTA RITA, GU