IMAGERY AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 5 from capsized vessel near Crystal Beach, Texas

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Office: (281) 464-4810 After Hours: (832) 293-1293 PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 5 from capsized vessel near Crystal Beach, Texas

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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.

The owner will coordinate salvage of the vessel. 

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