CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department crews helped six people keep their 44-foot yacht from sinking near the Port Mansfield Jetties Sunday afternoon.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., the people aboard the yacht made a distress call to Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders, on VHF-FM channel 16, stating they were rapidly taking on water. They estimated 500 gallons were already onboard, and the bilge pumps were inoperable.
The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Corpus Christi and a 33-foot law enforcement boat from Station South Padre Island. A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boat crew in the area over heard the radio transmissions and proceeded to the vessel’s position.
Once on scene, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boat crew removed two adults and two minors from the house boat for safety concerns. The helicopter deployed a dewatering pump and Coast Guard boat crewmembers went aboard to assist with dewatering. Once stable, the vessel was towed by commercial towing and safely moored.
“Our response correlated directly to how well prepared and educated the mariner was with their equipment.” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Scot Mogilewski, the command duty officer for the case. “Coast Guard with Texas Parks and Wildlife crews were able to respond swiftly due to effective communications we had with the distressed vessel.”
Boaters are reminded to always check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly with appropriate personal protective equipment, always have enough life jackets for everyone aboard, have sufficient and appropriate medical supplies, always carry a marine VHF radio capable of calling for help and have a boating plan and communicate it with friends and family.