October - December, 1999
On December 28, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat System detected a 406 MHz
distress signal 3.5 miles East of Point Hope, AK. Two travelers returning
home activated their PLB after they encountered a heavy storm and lost
visibility. Upon notification, North Slope Barrow RCC dispatched two snow
machines and found both individuals. One was towed back to safety while the other
followed on his machine.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 28, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal south of Pensacola, FL. CGD8 called the person referred to
on the registration for S/V "Tamira", who said the vessel was en route to
Tarpon Springs, FL. A HU-25 and a HH-65 were launched on scene. The vessel
was located with torn sails, loss of steering and disabled engines, but no
one was injured. The crew remained on the vessel, which was towed to
Southwind Marina, Pensacola, FL.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 27, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal NE of Umiat, AK. Three young men who had set out to
retrieve a broken down snow machine activated their PLB after their machine
stopped working. NSB RCC launched one Bell 214st Aircraft to investigate.
On arrival, NSB rescued the three individuals, who were very cold but not
harmed.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 26, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal near Altamaha Sound, GA. The EPIRB on the S/V "Wrenbrooke"
was manually activated when the vessel began taking on water and broke
apart. The operator and a dog boarded a raft. Coast Guard District Seven
(CCD7) picked up the operator and his dog.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On December 26, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal northeast of Cape Ann, MA. CGD1 RCC launched an HU-25
Falcon jet to the site. The Falcon located the F/V "Bella Julia" disabled with transmission
problems. The Falcon was relieved by a CG helicopter which provided support
until the CG Cutter "Vigorous" arrived to tow the vessel to port.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On December 25, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal in the area of Altamaha Sound, GA. Apparently the master of
S/V "Wrenbrooke" was forced to manually activate his EPIRB after his craft
suddenly started to take on water and began sinking. The sole POB was able
to inflate his raft and board it with his dog. CGD7 RCC launched one HH-60
helicopter to investigate. Once on site, the helicopter crew as able to
hoist the POB and dog to safety and delivered both to Savannah Memorial
Hospital where the POB was determined to be suffering from hypothermia.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE
On December 20, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal Southwest of Borrow, AK. The PLB was manually activated
when a snow machine with two persons broke through the ice while traveling
along the coast line. North Slope Search and Rescue responded and recovered
the survivors.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 16, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal near Cape Canaveral, FL. The US Coast Guard District Seven
reported the 68' vessel P/C "Lady Nichole" (formerly "Down the Hatch") sank.
The EPIRB was manually activated and the Coast Guard launched 2 Coast Guard
Cutters. TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 11, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
signal southeast of Galveston, TX. The master of the F/V "Becky Ann"
manually activated his EPIRB after his vessel became disabled. The Coast
Guard dispatched a fixed wing aircraft and a patrol boat to the area where
the aircraft located the F/V "Becky Ann" . The Coast Guard patrol boat
towed the "Becky Ann" to port.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 8, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz PLB
signal south of Nuiqsut, AK. Three snowmobiles were traveling from Nuiqsut
to Anaktuvuk Pass when two machines and two sleds broke down. The group
manually activated their 406 MHz PLB. NSlope Borough RCC launched a
helicopter which located and picked up three of the seven men and
transported them back to Nuiqsut. The remaining 4 men continued on their
trip.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On December 6, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 121.5 MHz
distress signal on the Talachulitna River in Alaska. AKRCC dispatched an
Air National Guard helicopter to the site where they discovered a crashed
Taylorcraft F-19 aircraft. The two survivors were taken to safety by the
Air National Guard helicopter.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On November 29, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPRIB
distress signal near Ballstorm, Alaska. A man manually activated his PLB
when his snowmobile ran out of fuel. AKRCC dispatched a helicopter which
located and recovered the man.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On November 25, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal off the coast of Costa Rica. The master the F/V "Romany
Song" manually activated his EPIRB when his vessel sank. South J RCC
diverted an AMVER vessel and the Costa Rican Coast Guard dispatched a Patrol
Boat to investigate. The Patrol Boat arrived on scene, located and
recovered the three crew members from a skiff.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On November 19, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
signal southwest of Pensacola, Florida. The beacon from the F/V "Donna
Jean" activated automatically when the vessel sank and the four crew members
abandon ship. Coast Guard District eight RCC dispatched a fixed wing
aircraft, a helicopter and a Coast Guard vessel which located and recovered the crew members
approximately 3.5 hours later, in good condition.
FOUR SARSAT RESCUES.
On November 18, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
signal near Christiansted, St. Croix. The F/V "Miss Bertha" sank in port
due to the hurricane. All people on board were rescued by the local Marine
Police.
The number of people involved is unknown at this time.
On November 17, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected an emergency
406 MHz signal near Bimini, Bahamas. The master of the S/V "AEGIR" manually
activated his EPIRB when his vessel began sinking. Coast Guard District
Seven RCC diverted two Coast Guard cutters and two helicopters to assist the
vessel. The Cutters arrived on scene, controlled the flooding and towed the
vessel into port.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On November 13, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal southeast of Barrow, Alaska. A hunter manually activated
his PLB when he became lost and his snowmobile ran out of fuel. The Alaska
North Slope borough dispatched a helicopter which located and recovered the
hunter.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On November 13, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal near Cape Fairweather, Alaska. The beacon onboard the F/V
"Becca Dawn" automatically activated when the vessel rolled over and sank in
heavy seas. CGD17 RCC dispatched two C-130 fixed wing aircraft and three
HH-60 helicopters to the area. The aircraft located and recovered three
people and one person remains missing.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On November 8, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal south of Borrow, Alaska. A hunter manually activated his
PLB after his snowmobile ran out of fuel. The North Slope Borough dispatched
a helicopter which located and rescued the hunter.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On November 5, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal in the vicinity of Australia. AUMCC reported a distress
aboard the yacht "Irish Hurricane". Four persons were rescued and the
vessel is still aground in Australia.
FOUR SARSAT RESCUES.
On October 31, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal southeast of Boston, MA. The master of the F/V "Leprechaun"
manually activated his EPIRB after his vessel lost power and became
disabled. CGD01 RCC dispatched a Coast Guard boat to assist. The Coast Guard boat
located the disabled vessel and towed it to port.
THREE SARSAT RESCUES.
On October 24, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal off the coast of Morocco. Morocco RCC reported the master
of the S/V "The Wife of Bath" manually activated his EPIRB after his vessel
began sinking. The crew of six were rescued by the nearby M/V "Birgit
Sabban" and taken to safety. There is no plan to recover the S/V "The Wife
of Bath" which was left adrift with the EPIRB still transmitting onboard.
SIX SARSAT RESCUES.
On October 23, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
EPIRB distress signal near Anathan, Northern Marianas Islands. The master of the
F/V "Ataloa" manually activated both of his EPIRBs when his engine room
caught fire. The crew of two abandoned ship and the vessel sank. The two
crewmen were recovered by a nearby vessel. No further details are
available.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES.
On October 20, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal west of Point Sal, CA. The master of the F/V "Brigadoon"
manually activated his beacon when the vessel caught fire. Coast Guard
District Eleven RCC dispatched a Coast Guard 47ft Utility boat, a Vandenberg
Air Force Base 75th Air Wing aircraft, and a Coast Guard 82ft Patrol Boat to
assist. The resources arrived on scene and found the F/V "Brigadoon" ablaze
and the crew in a life raft inside the Point Sal anchorage. The Utility
Boat recovered the two crewmen from their life raft.
TWO SARSAT RESCUES
On October 10, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz PLB
signal SSW of Barrow, AK. An elderly woman on a fishing and hunting trip
injured her wrist and manually activated her 406 MHz PLB for assistance.
Alaska State Troopers received the alert, passed it to North Slope Borough
RCC, who in turn launched a helicopter to the area. The injured woman was
airlifted from the camp and transported to Borrow, AK for medical treatment.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On October 8, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz
distress signal east of Galveston, TX. The master of the F/V "Lucky DC"
activated his EPIRB and then issued a MAYDAY call via radio after his vessel
lost propulsion. Coast Guard District Eight RCC received the SARSAT
distress alert and dispatched a patrol boat to assist.FOUR SARSAT RESCUES.
On October 8, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz EPIRB
distress signal off the coast of California. The master of the S/V
"Charteuese" manually activated his EPIRB due to a medical emergency.
PACAREA RCC launched a C-130 fixed wing aircraft,
the "USCGC BOUTWELL" and diverted an AMVER vessel to the area to assist.
The C-130 aircraft arrived on scene and remained until the AMVER vessel
arrived to transport the ailing passenger to rendezvous with the "USCGC
BOUTWELL". The "USCGC BOUTWELL" received the ailing passenger from the
AMVER vessel. ONE SARSAT RESCUE.
On October 2, 1999, the Cospas-Sarsat system detected a 406 MHz PLB
signal near Barrow, AK. A snow machine operator manually activated his 406
MHz PLB when his snow machine broke down. The North Slope Borough RCC
dispatched a helicopter, which located and recovered the person and took him
to Barrow.
ONE SARSAT RESCUE.