Coast Guard assists 3 people aboard disabled vessel 9 miles off Surfside 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 assists 3 people aboard disabled vessel 9 miles off Surfside Beach, Texas

Correction: Quote missing from previous press release

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard assisted three people aboard a disabled vessel Saturday 9 miles off Surfside Beach, Texas.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders received notification at 7:35 p.m. from the operator of an 18-foot pleasure craft, that the vessel had lost power and was adrift 9 miles off Surfside Beach.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew to assist.

The RB–M crew was able to locate the disabled vessel after the operator fired a flare. The RB–M crew placed the vessel in tow and transported the boaters to Freeport Marina.

No injuries were reported.

“This case is a reminder of the importance of having your vessel properly equipped with all required safety gear," said Cmdr. Mike Cortese of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston. "If it were not for the vessel operator having flares and knowing how and when to use them, it would have taken assistance a lot longer to locate the vessel. Additionally, having reliable communications such as a VHF radio is key to having a safe boating day.”

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