BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Three people were rescued in a cooperative effort between a good Samaritan fishing boat and the U.S. Coast Guard, Tuesday, approximately 118 miles east of Brunswick.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center received a Mayday call over VHF Channel 16 stating that the 95-foot vessel, Windy 1, had suffered an engine fire which had engulfed the vessel. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, stating the location and nature of the emergency to other vessels in the area.
The good Samaritan crew of the fishing vessel Day Boat 1 answered the call and diverted their course to the one given in the UMIB. They discovered three people in a life raft and quickly brought them aboard and alerted the Coast Guard. An aircrew launched aboard an MH-65 Dolphin from Air Station Savannah arrived on scene, hoisted the three survivors and transported them to Charleston Executive Airport near Johns Island.
"The relationships we have with the commercial fleet are invaluable," said Petty Officer 1st Class Matt Doby, watchstander at the Sector Charleston command center. "Time and time again we see these guys stop what they're doing and help people in really hazardous situations. It's hard to say what might have happened if the crew of the Day Boat 1 hadn't responded today."
The three survivors reported no injuries.