Video release: Coast Guard hoists mariner after vessel grounded north of Vendovi Island, Wash.

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/12/2017 07:25 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release   April 12, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs
Office: (206) 220-7237
After Hours: (206) 220-7237

Video release: Coast Guard hoists mariner after vessel grounded north of Vendovi Island, Wash.

Editors Note: Click on images to download high resolution photo and video.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles hoists a mariner of the back of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, after the mariner's 30-foot sailing vessel grounded north of Vendovi Island, Wash., April 11, 2017. The air crew consisted of Lt. Caled Robards, aircraft commander, Lt. j.g. Kevan Stoeckler, copilot, Avionics Electrical Technician 2nd Class Peter Bradshaw, flight mechanic, and Aviation Survival Technician 3rd Class, Matt Margot, swimmer. U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Port Angeles.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles hoists a mariner of the back of a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, after the mariner's 30-foot sailing vessel grounded north of Vendovi Island, Wash., April 11, 2017.

The air crew consisted of Lt. Caled Robards, aircraft commander, Lt. j.g. Kevan Stoeckler, copilot, Avionics Electrical Technician 2nd Class Peter Bradshaw, flight mechanic, and Aviation Survival Technician 3rd Class Matt Margot, swimmer.

U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Port Angeles.


SEATTLE — Coast Guard crews rescued a distressed mariner from a 30-foot sailing vessel that was taking on water and stuck on the rocks north of Vendovi Island, Tuesday night.

A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, hoisted the man and transported him to Anacortes Airport, where he was safely transferred to emergency medical service personnel to be treated for signs of mild hypothermia at Island Hospital.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received the initial mayday call from the mariner at 7:04 p.m., where he stated he was stuck near the island. Watchstanders lost communications, however, confirmed his position using the Coast Guard radio system known as Rescue 21. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham and the aircrew launched in response.

The 45-foot RB-M crew arrived on scene, located the vessel on the rocks and the mariner on the island, but was unable to get close to the vessel or the mariner due to the limited water depth. The aircrew arrived 20-minutes after the boat crew and performed the hoist.

There has been no report of sheening from the vessel and Incident Management Division personnel from sector are standing by as the owner works on a salvage plan to get the vessel off the island and refloated.

Weather on scene was 17-MPH winds, 2-foot high seas, an air temperature of 50 F and water temperature of 50 F.

-USCG-