Petty Officer 3rd Class Suren Chandrasena, a boatswain’s mate, watches from the side port door as Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf’s Over-The-Horizon small boat departs to receive personnel from Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur, June 18, 2008.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Anderson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The United States Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber’s crew reported that they rescued two mariners on board the massive 110-foot motor vessel, Supplier One, on Sunday after it began filling with water approximately 35 miles off Great Inagua in The Bahamas.
At about 9:50 on July 3, the crew of Supplier One made their first emergency call on VHF-FM channel 16 to the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircraft, stating they were soaking up water.
Around 1 p.m. on July 5, the Coast Guard Sector Key West ground crew received an intelligence report of a “rustic vessel” three miles south of Man Key.
Additionally, a rustic ship was located roughly 55 miles southwest of Marquesa at 2:20 p.m. by a C-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.
At about 6:30 p.m., an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami alerted watchstanders in Coast Guard Sector Key West of another rustic vessel approximately 61 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., another intelligence report informed Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a “rustic vessel” around 66 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.
Meanwhile, around midnight on Wednesday, about 45 miles south of Marathon, a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircraft informed Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic sailboat.
The United States Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber’s crew reported that they rescued two mariners on board the massive 110-foot motor vessel, Supplier One, on Sunday after it began filling with water approximately 35 miles off Great Inagua in The Bahamas.
At about 9:50 on July 3, the crew of Supplier One made their first emergency call on VHF-FM channel 16 to the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircraft, stating they were soaking up water.
Around 1 p.m. on July 5, the Coast Guard Sector Key West ground crew received an intelligence report of a “rustic vessel” three miles south of Man Key.
Additionally, a rustic ship was located roughly 55 miles southwest of Marquesa at 2:20 p.m. by a C-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.
At about 6:30 p.m., an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami alerted watchstanders in Coast Guard Sector Key West of another rustic vessel approximately 61 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., another intelligence report informed Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a “rustic vessel” around 66 miles southwest of Marquesas Key.
Meanwhile, around midnight on Wednesday, about 45 miles south of Marathon, a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircraft informed Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders of a rustic sailboat.
The aircraft released a dewatering pump and a radio beacon with an emergency status to the sailors.
The Coast Guard District Seven command center watchstanders were notified of the rescue attempt by the aircrew members. However, when the cutter crew got to the location, they discovered that the massive 110-foot ship was not best suited for towing.
Additionally, the marines were removed from the motorized vessel due to the heightened sea state, reporting 8-to-10-foot seas high.
Nevertheless, Lt. Caleigh J. Cobb, Coast Guard’s District Seven command center duty officer, claimed that the incident makes for an excellent demonstration of how meticulously Coast Guard personnel work collaboratively to ensure the two people were evacuated out of the ship without mishap.
“This case is a good example of how diligently Coast Guard crews work together to ensure the two people were rescued safely,” said Cobb.
He also reminded all other seafarers to “make sure” every watercraft always has an operational VHF-FM transmitter in case the mariners need or want to contact the Coast Guard for assistance if ever they will be in distress.
“Always make sure you have a working VHF-FM radio aboard your vessel in case you are in distress and need to contact the Coast Guard for assistance,” he prompted.
While a commercial salvaging outfit strives to retrieve the ship, the report added an urgent maritime bulletin to notify vessels of its whereabouts.
Helping Save Lives
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore, homeported in Key West, Fla., prepare to receive Cuban nationals interdicted in the Florida Straits, Dec. 7, 2015. In the course of three days the crew of the Kathleen Moore interdicted 50 Cuban migrants allegedly attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley J. Johnson)
Coast Guard members have intercepted at least 3,037 Cubans since October 1, 2021. The data shows a comparatively high interdiction rate after 2016. According to the report of Space Coast Daily, there were 5,396 Cuban migrants in the Fiscal Year 2016.
The report also mentioned that all migrants receive food, drink, shelter, and fundamental medical care after they board a Coast Guard cutter.
Lieutenant Karolina Del Hierro Vega of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District reported that coast guard officers had increased presence with air and sea capabilities daily through the Florida Straits. They do this to potentially save lives by getting rid of people from precarious situations. She counted that its troops assist in saving people’s lives from being squandered in these risky undertakings.
“Coast guard crews maintain an active presence with air and sea assets every day through the Florida Straits to help save lives by removing people from unsafe environments,” she said.
“Our crews help prevent people from losing their lives in these dangerous attempts,” she added.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.