Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi Dolphin helicopter file photo by PA2 Adam Eggers
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued four mariners after their vessel capsized eight miles offshore South Padre Island, Texas, Sunday evening.
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a Mayday call via VH-FM radio from a member of a capsized vessel with four mariners aboard. A Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew and Coast Guard Station South Padre Island Response Boat-Medium boatcrew were launched to the scene.
Once on scene the MH-65 aircrew successfully located, recovered all of the mariners and hoisted one person from the water. The response boat crew recovered the remaining three individuals and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical service personnel at Station South Padre Island. No injuries were reported.
“This case shows how important it is to have a VH-FM radio onboard, be familiar with the radio’s operation and to always have the proper amount of flotation devices available in case of an emergency”, said Gary Walker, Sector Corpus Christi command duty officer.
