Highlights of 2005

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On 09 April 2005, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 distress signal in position 27 27 N, 082 55 W. The operator of the F/V Sea Drive manually activated their 406 MHz EPIRB when they lost the location of one of their divers in the water. CGD7 RCC launched a HH-60 helicopter and a Coast Guard utility boat to the area. The utility boat arrived on scene and spotted a strobe light 9 NM SW of Tampa Bay, FL. The diver was found safe without any injuries and returned to his vessel. The Coast Guard helicopter was stood down before arriving on scene. One SARSAT Rescue.

07 May, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 121.5 MHz signal in position 61 26N, 148 18W, approximately 60nm east of Palmer, Alaska. An aircraft overturned on takeoff. The pilot was uninjured and was attempting to hike out from a remote location. However he had to be rescued because he was not prepared for an overnight experience. One SARSAT Rescue.

27 May, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB at 25.57N, 80 49W in the Everglades, FL. A boater was stranded in the Everglades and manually activated his PLB. The boater was found by FL Fish and Wildlife which directed other boaters and friends to him. The boater was escorted back to safety by his friends. The vessel was left in the Everglades. One SARSAT Rescue.

26 August, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal NW of Dry Tortugas, FL. Coast Guard District 7 RCC launched an HH-60 helicopter and a C-130 fixed wing aircraft to the site. On arrival they hoisted 3 people from the vessel Mary Lynn that was in the trailing edge of Hurricane Katrina's eye wall.

26 August, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress 15 nm NW of Key West, FL. Coast Guard District 7 RCC launched an HH-60 helicopter and a C-130 fixed wing aircraft to the site. On arrival they hoisted 2 people from the vessel Mr. Natural that was in the trailing edge of Hurricane Katrina's eye wall.

On 27 September, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in position 33 14N, 78 00W, 41 NM southeast of Cape Fear, NC. Lantarea received a 406 MHz alert after the commercial F/V No Sweat took on water and the crew manually activated their EPIRB. The two crew members abandoned ship and were located in a life raft and recovered by an HH65 from Air Station Charleston. Two SARSAT Rescues.

On 15 November, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 distress signal in position 22 34N, 73 37W, Mayaguana Passage, the Bahamas. Coast Guard District 7 RCC diverted an HH-60 helicopter to the position. On arrival, the helicopter located one person in the water; the S/V Scirocco had run aground and sunk. The person was retrieved from the water in good condition and transported to safety. 1 SARSAT Rescue.

On 22 November, the COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz distress signal in position 70 56N, 156 37W, 20 NM South of Barrow, AK. The Alaska State Troopers received a 406 MHz alert from a PLB, when it was manually activated by a snowmobiler when his machine became disabled. Alaska State Troopers located and rescue the man. One SARSAT Rescue.