The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(HOUSTON) — The Coast Guard rescued 15 people aboard vessels in distress near Port Aransas, Texas on Saturday.
Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received notifications of people in distress aboard the vessels Sabine Pass, Sandy Point and Signet Enterprise.
Watch standers directed a launch of two Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crews.
Coast Guard air crews conducted several search and rescue cases including:
• Seven people were rescued aboard the tugboat Sabine and airlifted to a rig near Aransas Pass.
• Four people were rescued aboard the vessel Signet Enterprise that was taking on water and were airlifted to safety.
• Four people rescued aboard vessel Sandy Point.
“This case included two Coast Guard MH-65 helicopters collaborating in a great effort to save multiple lives. To complete the evolution quickly and take these mariners out of harm's way, the air crews delivered the survivors to a dropoff point and the Signet Constellation transported the survivors to a safer location,” according to Capt. Tony Hahn, commander, Sector Corpus Christi. “This was a great effort between our Coast Guard aircrews and Signet Constellation’s crew in very dangerous conditions.”
Click here to view a video of the Signet Enterprise rescue.