Posted on May 11, 2022 12:40 PM by
The Maritime Executive
[Brief] The US Coast Guard has released video of a dramatic high seas rescue of four injured sailors on a small sailboat caught in heavy weather and unable to use regular means of communication. According to the coastguard, the four on board only had the ability to send messages via Twitter in addition to their EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) to call for help.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was dispatched May 8 from Massachusetts to find the sailboat, which was about 80 nautical miles south of Montauk, New York, caught on the high seas. The 39-foot sailboat Calypso had left Bermuda for Connecticut when he encountered heavy weather. NBC 10 Boston television reported that the ship was badly damaged by high waves injuring all four sailors on board.
(USCG)
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that the ship had been dismasted by a rogue wave, injuring all four crew members,” Air Station Cape Cod said in its social media post. “Battling rough seas and difficult lifting conditions, our MH-60T crew effectively rescued all four individuals.”
The sailboat was moving violently in 16-17ft seas when the helicopter and rescue team located them. All four people aboard the boat were successfully hoisted into the helicopter and flown to Gabreski, New York, for medical treatment.
The Coast Guard commander told the local TV station it was one of the best examples of crew coordination and teamwork under difficult conditions to complete the rescue mission.
