DVIDS – News – US Coast Guard rescues 13 boaters near Guam

SANTA RITA, Guam — U.S. Coast Guard Micronesia/Sector Guam forces, demonstrating preparedness and efficiency, successfully conducted a search and rescue operation for a vessel in distress 13 nautical miles north of Guam on June 23, 2024, saving 13 boaters.

This successful rescue operation, a testament to the power of collaboration, highlights the critical importance of our partnerships and the vital role of appropriate safety measures at sea. Lt. Chelsea Garcia, search and rescue mission coordinator operation, emphasized: “Even in good weather conditions, having 13 people on a 23-foot boat can be risky. Our seamless collaboration with the Guam Fire Department and other agencies ensured a quick and efficient response. answer. This incident highlights the need to have reliable communication devices and life jackets on board, as they can make all the difference in an emergency.

The Joint Rescue Subcenter, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard Observers in Guam, received urgent notification from the Guam Fire Department and 911 dispatch of a 23-foot recreational vessel, the Helen, with 13 people on board out of fuel and adrift Sunday morning. The 911 call allegedly came from one of the boaters via a cell phone.

Surveillance officers immediately diverted the crew of the 45-foot Response Boat Medium (RB-M) from U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor to the location. Simultaneously, they broadcast an Urgent Maritime Information Broadcast (UMIB) and requested air support from Department of Defense partners.

The crew of the 45-foot RB-M skillfully transferred the 13 survivors aboard their vessel, ensuring their safety and well-being. The rescue team assessed the ten women and three men, noting that several were suffering from severe seasickness and one was severely dehydrated. The coxswain recommended immediate transport to Hagåtña Small Boat Basin for medical evaluation. The ship Helen was left adrift and the watchmen issued a danger to navigation message.

Observers briefed agency personnel including the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Customs and Customs Enforcement Agency Guam Quarantine and the Guam Police Department. The RB-M crew transported the survivors to Hagåtña, where officials from the partner agency met them at the dock for further care and assessment. The 13 survivors were seen by Guam fire crews and refused treatment. The survivors are believed to be nationals of the People's Republic of China, as confirmed by law enforcement.

Weather conditions for the operation included easterly winds gusting to 15 knots and waves approximately 3 feet high with 4 foot swells. No watches or warnings are in effect.

This incident, once again, serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers seafarers face and the importance of wearing life jackets and having reliable communications devices on board ship. The ever-ready and prepared U.S. Coast Guard continues to stand ready, in partnership with local, federal and military agencies, to respond to maritime emergencies and protect life at sea.

-USCG-

About U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam
The U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam team focuses on maritime safety, security and stewardship in Oceania. With a primary presence in Guam and Saipan and more than 300 members in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the team maintains a strong U.S. presence in the Micronesia subregion and adjacent areas, closely linked to communities local.

About U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor:
In Guam, U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor is a critical operating unit responsible for search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime security missions. Equipped with 45- and 29-foot advanced response boats and a highly trained crew, the station plays a critical role in executing the U.S. Coast Guard's mission in the Pacific region.

For more information on U.S. Coast Guard actions, please contact CWO Sara Muir, Public Affairs Officer, at [email protected] or [email protected].