PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Watchstanders with the 5th Coast Guard District in Portsmouth coordinated the rescue of six sailors from a catamaran approximately 275 miles southwest of Bermuda, Thursday.
The watchstanders received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert and notification from the Rescue Coordination Center in Bermuda that the 75-foot catamaran Ninah, with six people aboard, had reportedly been struck by a rogue wave early this morning and was taking on water.
The watchstanders directed the launch of an airplane crew, from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and diverted the crew of the motor vessel Hercules Leader, an Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), to the catamaran’s location.
The six sailors abandoned their sinking vessel and were rescued from their life raft by the crew of the Hercules Leader. The sailors will be taken to Bermuda.
“The crew of the Ninah were well prepared for their voyage and had a plethora of safety and emergency equipment aboard their vessel,” said Brian Neilan, an operations unit leader with the 5th District command center. “Their preparation, along with the invaluable assistance from the crew of the AMVER vessel Hercules Leader, contributed to their rescue today.”