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8th District Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Date: Aug. 01, 2012
Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Houston
Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Brahm
Office: (713) 578-3080
Coast Guard saves 4 people from sinking vessel near Freeport
*Mayday audio available
HOUSTON — Four people were rescued from their sinking fishing boat by Coast Guard rescue crews five miles off the coast of Freeport, Wednesday morning.
A crewman aboard the sinking vessel contacted Sector Houston-Galveston at 1:55 a.m. stating that their 29-foot fishing vessel, Meat Hog, was five miles off the coast of Freeport and was taking on water with four people aboard.
Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders diverted rescue crews aboard a Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
The helicopter rescue crew located the four men still aboard the Meat Hog at 2:26 a.m., approximately 300 feet from where they started taking on water.
The rescue crew hoisted the four men aboard the helicopter and transported them to Ellington Field, where they were met by EMS.
"By using their VHF radio, the men aboard the fishing boat were able to quickly contact the Coast Guard and relay their position," stated Petty Officer 2nd Class John Schroeder, a watchstander at Sector Houston-Galveston. “The Coast Guard highly recommends equipping fishing and recreational vessels with a VHF radio.”
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The mayday call is available by clicking this link.
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