CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coast Guard air and boat crews rescued two men from their sinking boat offshore off San Jose Island Beach Sunday evening.
At approximately 11:45 p.m. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a distress call from one of the men on board stating their boat was taking on water approximately 100 yards offshore and 10 miles north of the Port Aransas Jetties.
Watchstanders launched an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter air crew from Air Station Corpus Christi and a 45-foot response boat crew from Station Port Aransas, to conduct the rescue.
Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene, the boat had washed ashore and the men were on the beach. The rescue helicopter landed on the beach and then flew them to Mustang Beach Airport where the Station Port Aransas boat crew met the helicopter and transported the men to their vehicle.
“This is a great example of why it is so important to have an operational marine VHF radio. It provided effective communication between the vessel in distress and the Coast Guard,” said Lt. Cmdr. Osvaldo Vera, search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector Corpus Christi.
Boaters are reminded to always check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly with appropriate personal protective equipment, always have enough life jackets for everyone aboard, have sufficient and appropriate medical supplies, always carry a marine VHF radio capable of calling for help and have a boating plan and communicate it with friends and family.