Rescue authorities at the U.S. Coast Guard Fifth District Command Center received a Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert from the 43-foot sailboat Sea Hole. The crew of the Sea Hole also reported they were beset by weather and one crew member wanted to get off the sailboat. Rescue personnel utilized an Amver Surface Picture (SURPIC) to locate the 810-foot container ship and requested the ship divert and assist the sailboat. The Horizon Trader was only 1 mile from the sailboat.
On scene weather reports indicated waves were approximately 10-feet and winds were greater than 35 knots.
"Currently we are on scene and in communications with the sailboat," the crew of the Horizon Trader radioed to the Coast Guard. "We will approach and conduct a transfer," the ship's crew added. A rescue helicopter was also diverted to the scene and was able to hoist the survivors from the deck of the container ship.
The Horizon Trader, managed by Horizon Lines, enrolled in Amver on January 1, 1974 and earned 31 Amver participation awards.
Photo credit: Fotolia
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