Olivier Jehl, a French sailor, gives a thumbs up aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., Monday, May 16, 2016, after he was rescued by the helicopter crew. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Coast Guard rescued a French sailor Monday approximately 90 miles off Atlantic City.
Olivier Jehl was attempting a solo voyage from New York to the United Kingdom aboard the 21-foot sailboat, Solidaires, when his boat hit a submerged object and began sinking.
As the sailboat sank, Jehl deployed his emergency raft and used an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert the Coast Guard of the distress situation and location.
An HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, launched to search for Jehl, who used flares to identify his location.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City arrived on scene at approximately 4:40 a.m., hoisted Jehl, and transferred him back to Air Station Atlantic City, where he could make further arrangements.
There were no reported medical concerns.
“This case was a perfect example of how to be prepared for the worst case scenario,” said Capt. Peter Mingo, the commanding officer of Air Station Atlantic City. “Personal beacons, life rafts, exposure suits and flares were the key to Mr. Jehl being able to effect his own rescue via the U.S. Coast Guard.”
