Coast Guard airlifts 12 from dive vessel taking on water in Gulf

8zv2bhw Vrnimlvkdwdy7lnwatycvjypiwaud86j2oemqs8p Mxcavdw Wl0ew4m8neu58djlbevjdcp5qxob26ljzpyjhjetuf5cjc7gdceba87ai3mr9cbijrhs0 D E1 Ft

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

(HOUSTON) — The Coast Guard rescued 12 people aboard a 160-foot vessel taking on water near Port Mansfield, Texas on Friday.

Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watch standers received a report at 3:40 a.m. of the commercial diving vessel Gulf Justice taking on water with 12 people aboard.

Watch standers directed the launch of two Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crews at 12:40 p.m. after a tug was unable to assist as planned due to not being able to get underway. Watch standers maintained hourly communication with the vessel operator throughout the morning and afternoon.  

The air crews arrived on scene at 1:03 p.m. and hoisted seven people from Gulf Justice and transferred them to Charles R. Johnson Airport. The air crews returned to hoist the remaining five people at 2:06 p.m. and transferred them to the airport.

“The Coast Guard was relieved to rescue these 12 people before Hurricane Harvey impacted the rescue efforts, making a bad situation worse,” said Capt. Tony Hahn, commander, Sector Corpus Christi. “ Our crews did a fantastic job collaborating on this rescue.”

All 12 people were reported in stable condition with no injuries. 

By Professional Mariner Staff