SANTA RITA, Guam – On August 18, 2024, the crew of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) successfully rescued six fishermen and towed their disabled fishing vessel to Satawal Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), marking the end of a coordinated search and rescue operation that showcased strong international and local partnerships.

“This operation highlights the critical importance of PLBs to maritime safety. By quickly informing us of the location of the fishermen, the PLBs effectively simplified the search and rescue operation by significantly narrowing the search area and allowing us to focus on quickly recovering the vessel. This underscores the strength of our regional partnerships and the profound impact of technology in improving our mission effectiveness,” said Commander Patton Epperson, the search and rescue mission coordinator on the case, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the mission.

The Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) watch on Guam received a distress call from a U.S.-registered 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time on August 17. The transmitter, which was loaned to outer islands fishermen by a Yap resident, was activated, signaling a possible distress approximately 27 nautical miles north-northeast of Satawal.

Upon receiving the alert, the JRSC Guam team launched a coordinated rescue operation with the Oliver Henry and the Panamanian-flagged Zhong Yu Marine, a 97-meter cargo vessel participating in the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program approximately 138 nautical miles north of the PLB site. They also coordinated with the Department of Defense to secure air support.

Oliver Henry diverted from her patrol 238 nautical miles north-northeast of the PLB and made a 10-hour voyage at the best possible speed. Despite difficult weather conditions, including poor visibility and thunderstorms in the area, Oliver Henry and Zhong Yu Marine reached the search area at 3 a.m.

“While the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft and crew were en route from Kadena Air Base to assist, the fishermen were located prior to their arrival. We are very grateful to our partners in the Department of Defense for their dedication and support, which plays a critical role in the success of our search and rescue missions,” said Epperson. “The rapid response of our AMVER partner vessel Zhong Yu Marine and the seamless integration of their efforts with the Coast Guard demonstrate our ability to overcome challenges in this vast and remote area of ​​the blue Pacific.”

At 8:20 a.m. local time, the Oliver Henry’s crew spotted the disabled vessel, a 22-foot fiberglass boat with a white hull and blue interior, with six fishermen in good condition aboard, about 11 nautical miles off Satawal. The vessel, adrift after engine failure, was towed by the Oliver Henry to Satawal Atoll, where it arrived about two hours later. Sea conditions, reportedly less than a foot high with 4-knot easterly winds, were particularly favorable for the tow.

“Today’s successful mission reflects the high level of training and commitment that the Oliver Henry crew has maintained and rebuilt following our significant personnel turnover this year. I am incredibly proud of our team for performing exceptionally well to ensure the safety of those aboard the disabled vessel. This success builds on the success of our last patrol, where we located a distressed yacht and crew and towed them to Palau,” said Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding officer of the Oliver Henry.

“Being part of these missions reminds us why we do what we do. It’s about getting people home to their families safely, no matter what obstacles are thrown at us. We were here in Satawal in April, safely transporting a 9-year-old boy with a head injury to a hospital and, with support from the U.S. Embassy, ​​delivering supplies from USAID and the International Organization for Migration to combat drought,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Rodgers.

After the ship and crew return safely to shore, the Oliver Henry will return to Guam due to a mechanical issue and will put to sea for repairs before returning.

“The successful rescue of the disabled vessel near Satawal Atoll underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting lives at sea throughout the Pacific. The use of tracking beacons greatly increases the chances of being found and reduces search time as we must travel these enormous distances,” said Capt. Robert Kistner, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Micronesia/Sector Guam. “Our coordinated efforts with local partners and international teams demonstrate our commitment to maritime safety in this vast and remote region.”

For further details on the rescue operation or the ongoing efforts of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, please contact Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir, Public Information Officer, at [email protected] or [email protected].

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About USCGC Oliver Henry:
The USCGC Oliver Henry is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of Sentinel-class fast response cutters. The ship and crew are named after Oliver T. Henry Jr., a pioneer of the African-American Coast Guard, and are equipped for a variety of missions, including search and rescue, homeland defense, and maritime law enforcement.

About the AMVER program:
The Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system is a U.S. Coast Guard global safety network that involves the voluntary participation of commercial vessels from around the world to ensure rapid and efficient response to maritime emergencies. AMVER coordinates its efforts to improve the safety of life at sea by deploying a network of vessels ready to assist those in distress, bridging the gap of limited resources across vast ocean areas.

About Operation Rematau:
Through Operation Rematau, the U.S. Coast Guard Micronesia supports Operation Blue Pacific. This effort includes Fast Response Cutter patrols. This initiative supports U.S. national security goals by promoting responsible maritime stewardship and security in the Pacific region. “Rematau” means “people of the deep sea” and reflects the close ties and shared goals within the Pacific community.