Coast Guard, responders continue search for 2 crew from Sirenity Ace

HC-130 Hércules Barbers point, ©USCG Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Levasseur

HONOLULU — Coast Guard, Navy and good Samaritans aboard two merchant vessels continue the search Tuesday for two crew from the ship Sincerity Ace following a fire 1,800 nautical miles (2,071 statute miles) northwest of Oahu.

“We are thankful for the assistance the crews of these merchant vessels have given us during this event significantly reducing possible response time,” said Lt. Duane Zitta, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu. “Their quick actions provided for the rescue of 16 members of the crew who would otherwise still be in the water and are continuing to aid us.”

Good Samaritans aboard four merchant vessels rescued 16 of the 21 crew Monday. Three of the five missing mariners reportedly were located but remain in the water as they are unresponsive and unable to grab onto life saving equipment to be brought aboard. Search efforts are focused on the two remaining potential survivors in a search area of 5,832 square nautical miles (6,711 square statute miles).

An Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew has re-deployed from Wake Island, following mandatory crew rest, to assist in the search and the crews of the Motor Vessel New Century 1 and Genco Augustus are actively searching the area. JRCC Honolulu watchstanders are continuing to identify merchant vessels in the area able to respond and assist.

The merchant vessel crews and a Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew continued to search overnight for the unaccounted-for members. The crew of the Green Lake, the SM Eagle, and the Venus Spirit have resumed their voyages.

Weather conditions on scene are reported as 15 to 18-foot seas and winds at 17 mph with reduced white caps improving visibility.

Involved in the search to date:

- Two Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews
- A Navy 7th Fleet P-8 Poseidon aircrew
- Crew of the Motor Vessel Green Lake 
- Crew of the SM Eagle
- Crew of the Motor Vessel New Century 1
- Crew of the Motor Vessel Venus Spirit 
- Crew of the Motor Vessel Genco Augustus

P-8 Poseidon, ©US Navy. Photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Emery

The owners of the Sincerity Ace are coordinating with the merchant vessels for the transport of the rescued mariners. The Sincerity Ace is currently adrift on the high seas. A salvage plan is being formalized and commercial tugs have been dispatched by the company.

JRCC Honolulu received the initial notification from JRCC Japan at 1:04 a.m., Monday, of the situation. Watchstanders in Honolulu immediately issued a SafetyNet broadcast requesting the assistance of vessels in the area and directed the launch of the Hercules aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point. The master of the Sincerity Ace reported a significant vessel fire, ongoing firefighting efforts, and an intent to abandon ship.

The commercial vessels involved are part of the AMVER, or Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System, a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.

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Coast Guard, Honolulu City and County to hold response exercise off Oahu

MH-65 Dolphin ©USCG (archive)

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, and Oahu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services are scheduled to conduct a search and rescue exercise in the vicinity offshore from Ko'olina to Kahe Point Wednesday and Thursday.

''The purpose is to continue building and improving operational cohesion between other agencies and us," said Ensign Seth Gross, a Sector Honolulu search and rescue coordinator. "We hold these exercises semi-annually, and they revolve throughout the islands. The west side of the island is known to be more remote with dynamic currents, but increasingly draws visitors and locals alike. It has also been the site of an aircraft incident in recent years."

Day one of the exercise, members from Coast Guard Sector Honolulu will meet with Honolulu officials to discuss safety, communication and demonstrate assets to understand each other's capabilities. The following day a multi-agency search and rescue exercise will be conducted for a simulated lost person in the water. The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners regarding the activity at 7 a.m. Thursday and run it for the duration of operations. 

The exercise will take place on the water and in the air off Kahe Point with Coast Guard and local agencies working together to test and evaluate interagency communications, response plans, and responders' actions during a simulated exercise of a missing mariner. Operations will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Access may be limited to the public boat ramp in Kahe Point Beach Park where the Incident Command Post is stood up during this time. During the search and rescue exercise, multiple agencies' assets will be launched, including the use of an Oscar dummy in the water. Oscar is weighted and used to simulate a person in the water. The public is asked not to disturb Oscar if found.

Assets are expected to include: 
- The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) and crew
- An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, 
- A 45-foot Response-Boat Medium and crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu
- Boat and aircrews from the Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Honolulu Fire helicopter, boat, and fire crews
- Honolulu Police Department personnel and dispatchers 
- A Jet Ski operator from Oahu Ocean Safety 

The SAREX is being conducted to evaluate notification and response procedures between first responders and to identify shortfalls in communication and coordination of response during SAR incidents. Each agency holds individual capabilities that complement each other's efforts and bolsters the overall success of the SAR system.

Although people are requested to stay clear of any boating area involved in the exercise, designated by the presence of Oscar, boats and other assets, the general public should remain vigilant and call 911 to report any possible distress situations. Coast Guard duty personnel will not be affected by the exercise, and will and be available to respond to any ongoing and emergency search and rescue cases.

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