Flare helps rescue California fishermen from blazing boat
23/11/2021
Rescuers used a flare to help rescue seven commercial fishermen whose boat caught fire off the California coast.
The rescue of the crew of the Dutch-operated Reederei Nord bulk carrier took place around 350 miles west of Monterey. It happened in the early hours of one November morning.
Watchstanders at the Eleventh Coast Guard District command center were alerted to the fire onboard the 85-foot commercial fishing boat, Blue Dragon.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew was called upon and Coast Guard watchstanders asked the crew of the bulker, Nordrubicon, which was 80 miles northwest, to assist in the rescue. A second Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew was subsequently launched.
The C-27 aircrew arrived and reported that survivors were aboard a life raft near the blazing boat. They signalled to the aircraft with a flashlight. The aircrew responded with a flare and a self locating datum marker buoy.
When the Nordrubicon crew arrived, they rescued the seven crewmembers. All were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
The image of the C-27 is courtesy of US Coast Guard.
