Another example of the US Coast Guard doing what they do so well. And another lesson is being sure you carry the necessary communication devices needed in an emergency when going offshore.

Feb. 24, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District
Contact: Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Office: (281) 464-4810
After Hours: (832) 293-1293
Coast Guard medevacs man from grounded sailboat

Grounded sailboat

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard located and rescued an injured man after a mayday call was received from his grounded sailboat on Mustang Island, about 5 miles south of Port Aransas, Friday morning.

The man used his VHF marine band radio to make the mayday call and report the distress on channel 16 at 4:38 a.m. Watchstanders at Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi launched their MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane and a Station South Padre Island response boat crew to search for him after losing communication with non-specific location and distress information.

He was eventually able to contact his brother and the Coast Guard by texting on his phone. He was instructed to energize his emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, which immediately provided a homing signal and location to rescue crews.

The aircrew arrived minutes later medevaced him to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, where they were met by EMS. He reportedly received injuries to his face, but was in stable condition.

Mariners are reminded the importance of having a VHF marine band radio and EPIRB any time they are operating offshore. This equipment is vitally important for mariners during an emergency.

-USCG-