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Office of External Affairs |
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| News Release |
Date: June 5, 2009 |
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Coast Guard responds to disabled fishing vessel 70 miles off Galveston coast |
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HOUSTON — The Coast Guard came to the assistance of the crew of a disabled fishing vessel 70 miles off the Galveston coast, June 5, 2009. Watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District communications center received a distress alert from a 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) off the Galveston coast. A Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65C rescue helicopter crew and a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew from Mobile, Ala., were both launched on the case. Upon arriving on scene crews discovered the disabled 53-foot fishing vessel Margie L with six people on board. The MH-65C rescue helicopter crew established dialogue with the crew of the Margie L and requested the EPIRB remain in the on position so communication could be established. The Coast Guard Cutter Manatee, homported in Corpus Christi was dispatched and is currently enroute to the position of the Margie L. Once on scene the Manatee will tow the fishing vessel to the nearest safe harbor. There are no reports of any injuries. "The crew of the Margie L used the EPIRB in the right manner. When used correctly, the EPIRB gives an extremely accurate position. They could have been sitting out there for a very long time had the EPIRB not gone off," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Becht, watchstander at the Eighth Coast Guard District communications center. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
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