Bulker rescues four from capsized skiff off Bahamas

The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(MIAMI) — A good Samaritan vessel, assisted by the Coast Guard, rescued four people Sunday 15 miles southeast of Freeport Harbor, Bahamas.

Watch standers at Coast Guard 7th District Command Center received a request from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for assistance in the search for four people, whose vessel reportedly capsized earlier Sunday morning. The watch standers diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew on patrol to assist in the search for the four people.

The airplane crew arrived on scene at 8:50 a.m. and located four people sitting atop a capsized 15-foot skiff. The air crew vectored in the bulk carrier SBI Samson to assist.

The SBI Samson crew recovered all four people from the water in good condition with no reported injuries. The SBI Samson crew will transfer them to Freeport Harbor Patrol.

By Professional Mariner Staff