Coast Guard Rescue: Cutter Crew Saves 6 Off Alabama Coast

PERDIDO BEACH, Ala. -- The Coast Guard says one of its crews rescued five adults and a 13-year-old boy from the water after their 32-foot vessel sank south of Perdido Beach.

Coast Guard officials said in a news release that crews responded after receiving a mayday call at about 1:15 p.m. Sunday from the vessel's owner that it was sinking.

A Coast Guard cutter was launched from Mobile, Ala., about 50 miles to the northwest, while a 45-foot-response boat was dispatched from Pensacola, Fla.

The small boat crew was first on the scene and spotted a distress flare fired by one of the persons in the water. The crew rescued the six, all of whom were wearing lifejackets. They were transported to Coast Guard Station Pensacola.

Petty Officer 1st Class Hillary Herbst said the use of radios, flares, lifejackets and other safety equipment greatly aids rescue efforts.

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Comments

[stacknef]

02:39 PM on 04/30/2012

At least the owner of this boat did everything right......equipped and protected his passengers. Next time I read about someone who goes boating without lifejackets and other lifesaving equipment on board, and sinks,...they will get no sympathy from me.

[aldo]

01:45 PM on 04/30/2012

Way to go Coast Guard.

I live in the middle of the North American Continent. I will probably never need the service of the Coast Guard. I still want my tax dollars used to support the service they provide.

I heard that their unofficial motto is 'we have to go but we don't have to come back'. Thanks for your service.

[pisedoff]

12:55 PM on 04/30/2012

With all this talk about socialism, how can TGOP supporters refrence the Obama government Nazi like? Socialist Nazi is an oxymoron.

[Dan Stewart]

12:51 PM on 04/30/2012

Why the press release?

[DJlaysitup]

12:41 PM on 04/30/2012

Sad for the boaters to lose their boat...but it sounds like they were otherwise prepared.

Too many people go out with only the minimum (read cheap) safety equipment required by law and end up in real trouble. It is ridiculous to spend hundreds on a fishing rod/reel and then buy the cheapest lifejackets just to be in legal compliance.

[kaykaythere]

12:29 PM on 04/30/2012

Another great story about our nation's unsung heroes. People that go about their everyday jobs doing good for our nation while trying to fight huge budget cuts to the rich can get a tax break.

[Canefighter]

11:56 AM on 04/30/2012

Not enough people thank the Coast Guard for what they actually do. They risk their lives rescuing people and expect nothing in return. I for one say Thank You for your service.

[Dan Stewart]

12:50 PM on 04/30/2012

"...and expect nothing in return."

Except their paychecks, health and retirement benefits, which they are no doubt entitled to.

[Canefighter]

04:16 PM on 04/30/2012

They earn that, part of joining the service. Not enough in my opinion for the risks they take doing some of what they do. Hopefully the Govt wont cut their budget and leave them hanging.

[Grant Morrison]

11:55 AM on 04/30/2012

"The crew rescued the six, all of whom were wearing lifejackets. They were transported to Coast Guard Station Pensacola."

Durrrr....sounds like socialism ta me!!!
.

[Sugarstick]

11:55 AM on 04/30/2012

How did this become political?

[Candide33]

01:21 PM on 04/30/2012

Haven't you noticed that everything here is?

[tidalwave4455]

11:45 AM on 04/30/2012

A few years ago, Congress was contemplating stopping government mapping of coastal areas.
'Let private industry do it'. When the prices were discussed...the Coast Guard realized that few boaters would pay such prices. The USCG was worried that many more people would get into trouble without maps. The cost of rescue would exceed the savings of not having the government do the mapping. If your boat is not sinking, the CG is instructed to connect you with a salvage company who will come out and tow your boat to shore.

[sja8800]

12:25 PM on 04/30/2012

as they should..........

[doctorwang]

01:48 PM on 04/30/2012

I agree. They are a rescue operation...not a towing service.

[ergs]

11:33 AM on 04/30/2012

2 thumbs up for the Coast Guard and its mission to save people.

I have been involved in rescues and I have great respect for people who can deal with the trauma of a rescue and the nightmares that can be involved.

[Bufford P Tusser]

01:25 PM on 04/30/2012

Thank you as well

f and f

[jahzilla]

11:29 AM on 04/30/2012

The U.S. Coast Guard provides so many valuable services. Search and rescue being just one.

The continued de-funding of this agency seems remarkably myopic.

[kaykaythere]

12:30 PM on 04/30/2012

Of course it does, until Donald Trump's yacht has problems...........

[jahzilla]

01:19 PM on 04/30/2012

Trump's ship has sailed . . . likely to the Caymans.

[pepper1311]

11:18 AM on 04/30/2012

45 foot boat rescues a 32 boat, size does matter.

[TheLibraryOfCodex]

11:04 AM on 04/30/2012

Should have left it to the private sector to rescue them.

[NVEd]

11:03 AM on 04/30/2012

The U.S. Coast Guard does the right thing again. What a "cool" service.