On Wednesday, an overdue sailor from New Jersey was found alive aboard a tattered vessel adrift nearly 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina. The US Coast Guard announced on Thursday that the sailor had departed from Jersey City, New Jersey, en route to Bermuda on November 6 but lost communication with his family and was considered overdue as of Tuesday.
The Coast Guard immediately launched a search and rescue mission, broadcasting an urgent marine message to other sailors describing the sailor’s vessel. Commander Wes Geyer, the search and rescue mission coordinator, described the search area as “nearly twice the size of Texas” and the sea conditions as “very unforgiving”. He also emphasized the importance of having an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), a device that can help pinpoint a sailor’s exact location in case of emergencies.
However, the search became increasingly challenging as days passed and no sign of the overdue sailor was found. The Coast Guard had to cover a vast area of the Atlantic Ocean, making the search extremely difficult.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan aboard the sailing vessel Time Bandit heard the Coast Guard’s message and encountered another vessel in distress 270 miles off Hatteras, North Carolina. The vessel matched the description of the missing sailor’s boat, with tattered sails and a missing boom.
The good Samaritan was able to communicate with the sailor, confirming that it was indeed the overdue mariner. However, because of the rough seas, the Coast Guard advised against an at-sea transfer. As a precautionary measure, the good Samaritan stayed with the sailor until help arrived.
On Wednesday, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Lawrence Lawson, based in Cape May, New Jersey, arrived at the scene. They were able to successfully transfer the sailor aboard the vessel in stable condition. The crew then reunited the mariner with his family on Thursday at the Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. The sailor’s identity was not immediately disclosed.
The successful rescue operation was a result of the collaborative effort of various Coast Guard assets. These included an HC-130 Hercules crew and an MH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and an HC-144 crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Commander Geyer expressed his relief and joy at the outcome of the search and rescue mission. He also reminded all mariners of the importance of carrying an EPIRB at all times.
The US Coast Guard’s dedication and commitment to protecting and saving lives at sea is commendable. The successful rescue of the overdue sailor is a testament to their relentless efforts and unwavering determination. This incident also serves as a reminder to all mariners to always prioritize safety and be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances while at sea.