PHOTO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 2 from vessel taking on water near Gulfport, Miss.

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Office: 504-671-2020 After Hours: 618-225-9008 Eighth District online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 2 from vessel taking on water near Gulfport, Miss.

 

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NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard rescued two people Saturday after a vessel began to take on water near Gulfport, Mississippi.

 

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report from Coast Guard Station Gulfport at 10:55 p.m. Saturday of a 17-foot vessel taking on water with two people aboard north of Cat Island. Station Gulfport launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew to respond.

 

The boatcrew arrived on scene and was able to tow the vessel and the two people onboard back to Long Beach Harbor. Both persons were reported to be in stable condition. Following the rescue, it was determined that the vessel did not have any flares onboard.

 

"The Coast Guard recommends people check to make sure they have all the required safety equipment before getting underway,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Christopher Moore, Sector Mobile command duty officer. “Not having the required safety equipment can be detrimental to a successful response effort.”

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-USCG-