January - March 2001
On March 31, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 212.5/243.0
MHz distress signal south of Punta Gorda, CA. A single engine Cessna 150
aircraft had crashed. CGD11 launched a helicopter and located the
aircraft, nose down in 5 - 10 feet of water. The aircraft owner/pilot
was rescued with minimal injuries. The pilot was treated and released by
Redwood Memorial Hospital in Eureka, CA. The Humboldt Co. Sheriff's
office questioned the victim and released him on his own recognizance.
The aircraft was secured on a beach at Cape Mendocino.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On March 29, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal southwest of Yankeetown, FL. The unlocated first
notification was sent to CGD7 RCC, Miami. CG Group St. Petersburg
simultaneously received a call from the Hernando Co. Sheriff's Dept. that
the 40 ft. F/V "Miss Hazel" was hit by a water spout, disabling all
power. CGD7 RCC diverted a C-130 fixed wing aircraft and a HH-60
helicopter to the locations. The Florida Marine Patrol launched a vessel
to the site. The C-130 located the vessel, dropped smoke, and attempted
to drop a hand-held radio. The HH-60 arrived on scene and vectored in
the FMP vessel. The two people aboard the "Miss Hazel" were transferred
to the FMP vessel and transported to the Yankeetown Marina.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES
On March 24, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal southwest of Borrow, AK. A group of people manually
activated their 406 MHz PLB when they became disoriented and
separated on their way to Wainwright, AK from Barrow, AK. The
Alaska State Troopers received the SARSAT alert and passed it on to
North Slope Borough RCC. North Slope RCC dispatched a Bell 214st
helicopter to the area, recovered the two persons involved and
transported them safely to Barrow, AK.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On March 24, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal near Barrow, AK. A party of nine people operating
three snow machines became separated and manually activated their
406 MHz PLB. The Alaska State Troopers received the SARSAT alert
and passed it to the North Slope Borough RCC. The North Slope RCC
dispatched a Bell 214st helicopter to the area, where they located
and recovered an elderly lady and a young man and transported them
back to Barrow, AK.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES
On March 20, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal east of Georgetown, SC. Coast Guard Miami launched
a HH-6502 and found three people on a life raft after their F/V
"American III" capsized in rough seas. A fourth crew member,
lacking a personal floatation device, was last seen floating face
down and could not be rescued. The three survivors were recovered
and transferred to a waiting emergency medical staff at Georgetown
airport.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES
On March 7, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal near Nuiqsut, AK. Alaskian State Troopers received
the alert and passed it on to North Slope Borough RCC, which
dispatched a Bell 214 helicopter to the scene. One person had
manually activated his 406 MHz PLB when his snowmobile broke down.
The helicopter transported the person safely back to Nuiqsut, AK.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On March 2, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal east of Cape Hatteras, NC. The S/V "High Noon" was
taking on water in transit from St. Martins to England. Coast Guard
Norfolk diverted the merchant vessel "Putney Bridge" to the area of
the 406 MHz signal and rescued the two persons that had abandoned
ship. TWO SARSAT RESCUES
On February 26, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406
MHz distress signal south of Barrow, AK. North Slope Borough SAR
launched a Bell 214st Helicopter to the site and located one person
and a disabled snow machine. The individual on the snow machine was
the National Safety Officer who had been dispatched to the site of
the snow machine accident that North Slope Borough SAR had located.
The helicopter crew transported the Safety Officer and his snow
machine safely to Ataqsuk, AK.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On February 19, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal near Kona, Hawaii. Using beacon registration data, Coast Guard District 14 JRCC contacted the son of the owner
of the 45 foot F/V "Naia Lele III", who confirmed the general position and provided valuable POB/survival gear information. JRCC diverted the nearby M/V "Pearl Venus", who could not locate the F/V "Naia Lele III". JRCC launched a C-130 and a HH-65 helicopter. The "Pearl Venus" located debris, set off a flare, sighted a raft with
three POBs and brought the POBs on board in good condition. The son of the owner later recovered the 3 from the "Pearl Venus" and transported them safely home.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES
On February 18, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal near Barrow, AK. North Slope Borough SAR launched a Bell 214st Helicopter to the site and located three
hunters stranded. Their 4-wheel drive truck was stuck in the snow. They were hoisted aboard the helicopter and taken back to Barrow, AK.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES
On February 18, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal near South Point, Hawaii. Coast Guard District 14 attempted to contact the S/V "Goodnight Moon" with negative
results. They launched a C-130 to the site and located the vessel. The vessel was dismasted, had lost the generator and was unable to start the engine or communicate over HF/email. The C-130
dropped a radio, but the crew members were unable to retrieve it. The C-130 located the "Funakawa Maru", a Japanese training fishing vessel, approximately 50 NM from the subject vessel but were unable
to communicate due to language barrier. The C-130 requested assistance. Coast Guard District 14 JRCC contacted the "Funakawa Maru" via INMARSAT-A and an interpreter, and diverted her to the
distress position. The "Funakawa Maru" located the distressed S/V and transferred the 4 crew members to safety despite the rough water. The fishing vessel also took the sailing vessel in tow and headed north to meet the tug "American Quest".
FOUR SARSAT RESCUES
On February 15, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal near Ugak Bay, Kodiak Island, AK. The F/V "Excell" had run aground and was partially submerged. Coast Guard District 17 RCC launched a HH-60 helicopter to the location and hoisted all three crew members aboard. No injuries were reported.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES
On February 12, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal east of Kaktovik, AK. North Slope Burrows RCC correlated beacon identification with unit loaned to a hunting party of two. Information was relayed to Kaktovik RCC who responded to the mission. Kaktovik RCC ground team arrived on
scene where they found both hunters stranded while on their way home, due to snow machines breaking down. Ground Team picked up both parties and transported them safely to Kaktovik. EPIRB was activated manually due to incident.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES
On February 9, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal south of Choctawhatchee Bay, FL. CGD8 RCC diverted a Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon jet to the area to investigate. The HU-25 arrived on scene and located the F/V "Toad" engulfed in flames. The HU-25 dropped a life raft, inserted a
Data Mark Buoy and issued an Urgent Marine Information Bulletin. The Coast Guard launced a second HU-25 aircraft and a HH-65 helicopter to search the area for survivors. One HU-25 located a liferaft with three POB. A helicopter from the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, FL arrived on scene and hoisted all 3 POBs aboard.
They were suffering from mild hypothermia and taken into port and treated.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES
On February 8, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz distress signal north of Anaktuvuk Pass, AK. North Slope Burough SAR launched a Bell 214ST Helicopter to the site and located a hunter on a disabled snowmachine. The snowmachine was stuck in the freezing river overflow. The hunter was hoisted
aboard and returned to safety.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On January 11, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal near Atkasuk, AK. A hunter manually activated his 406 MHz PLB when his snow mobile broke down en route to Barrow, AK to Atkasuk, AK. The Alaska State Troopers passed the alert to the North Slope Borough RCC who launched a Bell helicopter to the area. The hunter was located, hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported safely back to Barrow, AK.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On January 5, 2001, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz PLB distress signal east of PT. Hope, AK. A hunter manually activated his PLB while on a trip from Kivilana to Pt. Hope by snowmobile. A ground team from Pt. Hope rescued the individual and transported him back to Kivilana, AK.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE