(SANTA RITA, Guam) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) took the motor yacht Black Pearl 1 under tow Sunday after responding to a distress call approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean.
“Our primary concern is the safety of everyone aboard the Black Pearl 1. The swift response and ongoing efforts by the crew of USCGC Oliver Henry exemplify our commitment to safeguarding lives at sea. We will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure the vessel and its crew reach safety,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator for the case.
The 11-person yacht crew, who reported a locked rudder and flooding in the bilge, was being assisted by the Oliver Henry’s crew with dewatering and damage control as they headed toward Palau. The weather on the scene was reported as 25 mph winds and 4- to 6-foot seas.
The cutter crew was on a routine patrol for Operation Rematau when they received the distress signal and immediately responded. The vessel is a 154-foot, 497-ton Belize-flagged luxury yacht designed for dive excursions. It was reportedly en route to Cebu, Philippines, for maintenance.
At 3:37 p.m. (local time) on July 20, Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam watch received an Inmarsat C distress alert relayed from the team at Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Australia, identifying the motor yacht Black Pearl 1. Initial information lacked the distress nature or position, but the watch received an AIS position and diverted the Oliver Henry crew.
They also identified the U.S.-flagged general cargo vessel SLNC York, 135 nautical miles away, and requested their assistance through the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program. The crew diverted from their voyage and arrived on the scene at 12:30 a.m. on July 21. They made first contact with the yacht crew and relayed to Oliver Henry that the vessel had a steering issue but was not requesting assistance, attempting their repairs. All aboard were in good health and the vessel had power.
By 6:12 a.m on July 21, the USCGC Oliver Henry crew arrived on the scene and noted the vessel’s steering issues, including a locked rudder at 10 degrees, and that the vessel was taking on water.
At 6:53 a.m., the Oliver Henry crew placed a rescue and assistance team aboard Black Pearl 1 to help with dewatering and assess damage control needs. JRSC Guam watch standers coordinated with the vessel’s management company in China and the Palau search and rescue liaison officer for additional support from Palau Maritime.
“Search and rescue is the Coast Guard’s no-fail mission, and our commitment to this responsibility is unwavering. Fast response cutters, like the USCGC Oliver Henry, are crucial in our ability to respond effectively to emergencies across this vast region. The AMVER system is another critical tool in our mission. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, AMVER is a global ship-reporting system that allows us to identify and divert participating ships to assist those in distress at sea without imposing additional obligations beyond international law. In an emergency like this, we are all partners,” said Capt. Robert Kistner, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia.
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia personnel, responsible for a 1.9 million square nautical miles search and rescue zone, continued to monitor the situation, ensuring the safety of life at sea for all.
– U.S. Coast Guard
