Multimedia Release: Coast Guard, good Samaritans respond to Sincerity Ace fire

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flies over the 650-foot Sincerity Ace on fire 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 31, 2018, and drops supplies to the 944-foot bulk carrier Genco Augustus.

The Coast Guard coordinated with five volunteer vessels to rescue the crew over three days. Of the 21 crew, 16 were rescued, four were located unresponsive, and one remains missing.

(U.S. Coast Guard video by HC-130 Hercules 1720/Released)

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flies over the 650-foot Sincerity Ace on fire 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 31, 2018.

The vessel was still burning at last report Dec. 3, 2019, with two company contracted tugs en route.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by HC-130 Hercules 1720/Released)

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flies over the 650-foot Sincerity Ace on fire 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 31, 2018.

The five commercial vessels participating in the search cut several days off the response time of surface assets. AMVER or Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System is 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.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by HC-130 Hercules 1720/Released)

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew flies over the 650-foot Sincerity Ace on fire 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 31, 2018, and drops supplies to the 944-foot bulk carrier Genco Augustus.

Responders faced 17 to 20-foot seas, white caps, and significant winds making spotting survivors and rescuing them very difficult.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by HC-130 Hercules 1720/Released)

Previous releases on this case are available by clicking the links below:

Initial
Update 1 
Final