HOUSTON — The Coast Guard rescued three adults and two teenagers from the water approximately 2 miles offshore of Crystal Beach, Texas, Saturday.
Galveston County Sheriff's Office contacted Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders to report a capsized vessel with five people clinging to the hull.
Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders diverted an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Horse and launched a Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew.
“Thanks to prompt notification and coordination from Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to rapidly divert the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Horse and our Air Station Houston helicopter, while simultaneously launching a response boat from Station Galveston to ensure rescue assets were on scene within minutes of the vessel capsizing,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jarod Toczko, search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Houston-Galveston.
Once on scene, the crew of the MH-65 deployed a rescue swimmer to check on the condition of the survivors. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Horse then arrived on scene and recovered all five individuals from the water.
The survivors were transferred to Station Galveston's RB-M where they were transported to Station Galveston. No medical assistance was requested.
“I am extremely proud of our crew for their quick action and excellent coordination with both air and boat station assets to safely rescue all five people from the water,” said Lt. j.g. Weston Fortna, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Sea Horse.
The owner will coordinate salvage of the vessel.
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