NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard assisted three people aboard a disabled fishing vessel after it began taking on water 67 miles south of Cape San Blas, Fla., Thursday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile were notified that the 50-foot fishing vessel Solo was taking on water at 5:39 a.m. The watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla. MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Hercules fixed wing aircraft crew to assist.
A Navy MH-60 Helicopter crew also deployed from Panama City, Fla., to assist.
The Coast Guard helicopter crew dropped a dewatering pump and lowered a rescue swimmer to assist the crew with dewatering.
The Coast Guard Cutter Seahawk arrived on scene and sent over a crewmember to relieve the rescue swimmer with dewatering. The Seahawk placed the Solo in tow and transported them to St. Andrews Marina in Panama City.
"This was superb inter-agency coordination," said Capt. Richard Lorenzen, commanding officer of Air Station Clearwater. "Our helicopter aircrews live for such cases, and I am glad team Coast Guard was able to save these three men and their vessel."
There were no reported injuries.
For video of the dewatering operation, click here.