MIAMI — A man was rescued from a sinking 31-foot vessel that was taking on water 10 nautical miles north of Grand Bahama, Bahamas, Wednesday.
Coast Guard District 7 watchstanders received a report of an activated EPIRB at about 10 a.m., Wednesday. They diverted an Air Station Clearwater, Florida, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed to the Bahamas that was in the area. The aircrew arrived on scene, hoisted the man and transported him to Freeport, Bahamas. No medical concerns were reported.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters, especially those transiting offshore or to remote areas to carry an EPIRB or a Personal Locator Beacon. EPIRBs and PLBs save valuable time during maritime emergencies by transmitting electronic distress signals and GPS coordinates. When EPIRBs are properly registered, they also provide first responders with owners’ contact information and vessel descriptions, which is vital information during search and rescue cases.
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