CG aids 3 from boat afire

NEW ORLEANS -The Coast Guard assisted with the rescue of three people from a burning vessel some 35 miles offshore of Panama City, Fla., in the afternoon of Oct. 2. CG had been alerted to the activation of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon about 1:33 p.m. After confirming the vessel registered to the EPIRB had gotten underway this morning, the CG launched a 45-foot Rescue Boat crew from Panama City; an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from New Orleans; and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew Mobile, Ala. CG was aided by Good Samaritan vessels who responded on scene to an urgent marine information broadcast. The Good Samaritan vessel “First Light” was able to recover all three passengers from a life raft near the burning vessel. The passengers were transferred to the CG boat crew and transported to the CG station in stable condition. Emergency medical services treated one passenger for smoke inhalation. The CG has issued a safety marine information broadcast due to the vessel still being afire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (Source: Coast Guard 10/02/19)