The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and a good Samaritan vessel recently carried out a daring rescue operation, saving two stranded boaters who were nearly 2,000 miles away from Bermuda. The incident occurred after their vessel was struck by lightning, causing a significant hole in the boat. This remarkable rescue mission exemplifies the bravery and dedication of our Coast Guard and the willingness of others to lend a helping hand.
The Fifth Coast Guard District command center in Virginia received an emergency radio beacon from the sailing vessel Lhor One on Sunday evening. Subsequently, mariners in the North Atlantic Ocean were alerted to keep an eye out for the distressed sailors. The Coast Guard quickly deployed a HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City to assist in the rescue effort.
To provide a better understanding of the distance these sailors were stranded from shore, imagine driving from Portsmouth, Virginia, to Odessa, Texas, near the Texas-New Mexico border. That’s how far away they were. It’s truly astonishing to think about the isolation and danger they faced in the vastness of the open ocean.
The airplane crew successfully reached the disabled vessel in the early hours of Monday morning and established communication with the two individuals on board, aged 20 and 24. The sailors reported that their boat was taking on water due to the lightning strike. The aircrew then contacted a nearby good Samaritan vessel, the 505-foot motor vessel Frio Ionian, and guided them to the location of the stranded boat.
At 10 a.m., the Frio Ionian crew arrived and safely rescued both men from the Lhor One, with no reported injuries. This successful operation would not have been possible without the assistance of the good Samaritan vessel and their participation in the Coast Guard’s AMVER program.
The Coast Guard expressed their gratitude to the crew of the Frio Ionian for their crucial role in making this at-sea rescue a success. The AMVER program, which stands for Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue, is a commendable initiative that allows vessels to voluntarily provide position updates for search and rescue operations worldwide.
This extraordinary rescue serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those who venture out into the vastness of the ocean. It also highlights the importance of our Coast Guard and the collaboration between different vessels to ensure the safety and well-being of mariners in distress.
We commend the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard for their unwavering dedication to protecting and rescuing those in need. Their selfless actions in this rescue operation demonstrate the best of America’s commitment to helping others in times of crisis.
