ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard, Air Force and Navy personnel are responding to the report of a sick infant aboard a 36-foot sailboat approximately 900 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
At approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, Coast Guard personnel in Alameda, Calif., were notified via a satellite phone from the vessel operator that a one year-old child aboard the sailing vessel, Rebel Heart, was ill and required assistance. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended the child be seen by medical personnel within 2 days.
The Coast Guard requested assistance from the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing, stationed at Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif. and the U.S. Navy.
The California Air National Guard launched an Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft with four pararescuemen embarked. At approximately 8 p.m. they arrived on scene and rendered assistance. They provided medical aid and reported the child to be in stable condition. Additionally, U.S. 3rd Fleet directed Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) to assist in the rescue of the family aboard the sailing vessel.
the Vandegrift is expected to reach the sailing vessel late Saturday evening.
