Handheld flare aids rescue of man on boat taking on water in Virginia

18/09/2023

A man whose sailboat was stranded and taking on water in Hampton, Virginia, used a handheld flare to help search and rescue crews locate him.

US Coast Guards and also partner agencies assisted the 42-year-old man after his boat began taking on water two miles east of Salt Ponds.

Early one August morning, Coast Guard Sector Virginia watchstanders received a report of a disabled 30-foot sailboat taking on water and requested assistance.

The Coast Guard located the sailboat by using i911, a cellular GPS tracking software and the sailor also used a handheld flare to help rescue crews locate him.

A Coast Guard Station Portsmouth crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and also a crew aboard Fire Boat 2 arrived on the scene to assist. The sailor was transferred from his sailboat, which had three feet of water on board, to the fire boat. The Hampton Fire and Rescue Fire Boat 2 crew brought the sailor to shore.

The Portsmouth crew extracted the water from the sailboat and towed the vessel to Old Point Comfort Marina.

Cmdr. Erica Elfguinn, the search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Virginia, says, “It’s always a great day when we can work with our partners to bring a mariner home safely. As a reminder, mariners should always ensure their vessel is ready for its voyage with the necessary safety equipment onboard, including Coast Guard-approved life jackets and a reliable means of communication.”

Source and image: USCG