CG dual rescues off Dauphin Island

MOBILE, Ala. – The Coast Guard rescued nine people from two separate incidents in the Gulf of Mexico on Jan. 30. Coast Guard Sector Mobile was notified of a 36-foot recreational fishing vessel, with five people aboard, that was taking on water 47 miles south of Dauphin Island. Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island launched a response boat and crew, and an Aviation Training Center (ATC) Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft to assist. The boat crew arrived and transferred a dewatering pump to assist the vessel operators. During escort of the fishing vessel to Orange Beach, Ala., CGS Mobile was notified of another vessel taking on water 30 miles south of Dauphin Island. The initial boat crew diverted to the new distress call. ATC Mobile’s HC-144 dropped a life raft to the pleasure craft. The four aboard abandoned the vessel for the raft as the boat was capsizing. The CG boat crew arrived and also brought those bpaters to Orange Beach. There were no reported injuries; and all nine were wearing life jackets. (Source: Coast Guard 01/30/16)