Following a spectacular Coast Guard rescue, four Americans traveling to Florida were rescued from a sinking sailboat.#Florida #KeyWestFL #News #Rescue
Florida’s Key WestAfter their sailboat sank in the harsh Atlantic waves, four American sailors clung to life in a small raft as they made their way to Key West, Florida. Their last hope, stranded 180 miles northwest of Puerto Rico, was an emergency signal that led to an audacious air and sea rescue. Following a terrifying ordeal, all four were rescued thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard’s prompt action and the valiant efforts of neighboring vessels.
Emergency Signal Sparks Coast Guard Action
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Juan Command Center received an emergency radio signal early Tuesday morning, prompting the distress call.
Far out in the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Silver Bank waters north of the Dominican Republic, the signal signaled possible danger.
The Coast Guard immediately sent an HC-144 Ocean Sentry plane from Puerto Rico’s Air Station Borinquen to search the region. In order to aid in the hunt, they also warned nearby vessels.
The 720-foot container ship El Coqu, flying the American flag, was one among those responding. A small life raft carrying the trapped seamen was noticed by Coast Guard aircrew as they scoured the waterways. In order to conduct a rescue, the team promptly coordinated with the fishing boats Bonanza and the El Coquand.
Rescue Mission in the Atlantic
The crew of the Bonanz saved the four sailors—David Potts, 63; John Potts, 62; Andrew Cullar, 26; and Russell Case, 67—by navigating the treacherous shoal waters and snagging the life raft. After that, the survivors were moved to the larger El Coqu, which was headed for Jacksonville, Florida, and was scheduled to arrive there on Thursday.
The sailors that were saved described the horrifying series of events that brought them to their predicament. Before being assaulted by a huge wave that rolled the ship onto its port side, their ship, the Mariposa, collided with a submerged rock. The boat was flooded and eventually submerged under the waves as a result of catastrophic damage to the hull caused by a second collision with another rock.
A Planned Voyage Gone Awry
The men were scheduled to make a stop in Key West, Florida, on their way to Portofino, Texas, from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In one of the most dangerous areas of the ocean, what should have been a simple journey became a potentially fatal catastrophe.
Coast Guard Praises Team Effort
The Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue mission coordinator for this case, Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Borders, thanked everyone for their cooperation in saving the men’s lives.
According to a statement from Borders, this incident emphasizes how crucial it is to have an emergency location indicating radio beacon that is operational and listed in the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] database.
Our sincere appreciation is sent to the crews of the motor vessel El Coqu and the fishing vessel Bonanza for their unselfish actions, which are in accordance with the honor and tradition of AMVER merchant vessels to assist other sailors in need.
The Coast Guard and civilian staff worked together to prevent a possible catastrophe, which provided comfort to the four sailors’ families.
CONNECTED TOPICS: Rescues and Accidents | Florida | Puerto Rico
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