Coast Guard Auxiliary Rescues Sinking Boat
Article and photo submitted by Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33 Public Affairs Officer, D5-SR, Kilmarnock, VA

Flotilla 33 Crew Members Amy Thomas tending pump hose and David Pope, handling mooring lines watch Brian McArdle on the manual pump.

While conducting a “safety sweep” of the Rappahannock River, Virginia, an Auxiliary Flotilla 33 patrol boat came upon a boat in distress.  The captain of the distressed boat realized that something was wrong and was trying to get back to port. 

“Although the boat was under power when we came along, we decided to escort it in to port since it was obvious the operator was having difficulty,” said Jim Thomas, coxswain of the patrol vessel.  “When the operator could not safely maneuver his boat, our crew quickly put the disabled boat under a side-tow to take it back to port.  After getting underway with the tow, the operator (of the distressed boat) opened the engine hatch and discovered that the boat was taking on water.” 

The Auxiliary crew maintained radio contact with Coast Guard Station Milford Haven throughout the tow situation.  “We quickly learned that the boat was taking on more water then the bilge pump could handle,” commented Thomas.  “One of the things we always carry aboard is a manual de-watering pump for a situation just like this.  With the boat’s bilge pump and the manual pump we were able to slow (the water intake) it down enough to get the boat to a marina for further assistance.” 

“Due to the heat and the amount of time it took to get additional pumps set up at the marina, the Auxiliary crew members continued operating their manual pump to keep the boat afloat until the situation was stabilized,” said Thomas.

On this night, the “safety sweep” of the Rappahannock River really helped a local boater.  What started as routine, turned into a towing situation and then rapidly became a dewatering event. 

“Had timely assistance not been rendered, the boat could have sunk and the boater put in the water after dark.  This would have caused a more difficult night search & rescue for a person in the water, as well as a potential marine pollution problem,” stated Thomas.  “We continually communicated with the Coast Guard Station at Milford Haven to keep the Officer of the Day and the Officer in Charge apprised of the situation.”

“Members of Flotilla 33 have volunteered on many busy summer weekends and gave up their own time to do a patrol of our area of responsibility,” said John Mill, Commander of Flotilla 33.  “Our “safety sweep” patrols cover an area within hailing distance of all boats not underway to make sure there are no problems.  We just want to make sure all our friends and neighbors get home safely.  Today, one of our crews did a super job and saved a boat from sinking and having the captain of the boat in the water in the dark.”

“Our training with other Auxiliary boats and with the Coast Guard Station at Milford Haven really paid off in this situation,” said Amy Thomas, Past Flotilla Commander and Auxiliary crew member.  “We were quickly able to stabilize a situation where every minute counted.”

Even experienced boaters such as this one can have mechanical problems beyond their control.  In this case, what started out as an escort for a boat with mechanical problems, turned into a towing situation and finally saving a boat from sinking and having a man in the water at night…all in a day’s work!

--WML