OSCAR ELTON SETTE

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Research ship assisted in rescue operation for sinking yacht

The "Oscar Elton Sette" diverted to a sinking yacht on Aug 13, 2012. A Coast Guard helicopter and small boat crews rescued the seven mariners, whose sailing vessel sank 29 miles off the coast of Kaena Point on Oahu at approximately 3:43 a.m. Coast Guard Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu command center and Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu had received a mayday call and a distress signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon aboard the 30-foot sailing vessel "Cowabunga". During the mayday call, the vessel operator reported the boat started taking on water during their transit to Oahu after a weekend sailing race to Kauai, at approximately 12:40 a.m. The operator reported that all seven persons aboard were experienced mariners, wearing lifejackets and had abandoned ship at approximately 1:33 a.m. Coast Guardsmen aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Honolulu, a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Kauai, and the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter "Galveston Island" responded to assist. Coast Guard aircrews piloting an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point also responded as well as the "Oscar Elton Sette" to assist. The Dolphin aircrew arrived on scene, lowered a rescue swimmer with life raft and hoisted four of the mariners into the aircraft, at 1:50 a.m. The four mariners were flown to Lihue Airport while the rescue swimmer and the three remaining crewmembers waited in the life raft for the MLB crew, who arrived on scene at approximately 3:43 a.m. The three crewmembers and the rescue swimmer were taken aboard and transported safely ashore to Nawiliwili Harbor. The Coast Guard also put out an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, informing any other vessels in the area of the situation.