From Commander, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs
ROTA, Northern Mariana Islands (NNS) -- Sailors from
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam and
rescue crews from Rota, Northern Mariana Islands, 40 nautical miles
north-northeast of the U.S. territory of Guam, recovered three stranded boaters
a mile offshore near the village of Songsong Feb. 3.
The 20-foot vessel was operating in 10-foot seas when its
engine failed around noon. Due to surf conditions, a rescue vessel from Rota
was unable to immediately rescue the stranded boaters. A Navy MH-60S helicopter
from HSC-25 was launched from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and reached the
vessel within 30 minutes of receiving the call to act as on scene commander.
Once in the vicinity, the helicopter crew determined the best course of action was
to monitor the boaters until a rescue vessel could arrive.
After about an hour and a half, the seas calmed down enough
for a Rota rescue vessel to tow the stranded vessel in. The HSC-25 crew
credited good communication between HSC-25, Coast Guard Sector Guam and the
rescue units from Rota for the recovery.
The incident was the fourth search and rescue executed by
HSC-25 personnel this year.
HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S
expeditionary squadron. As a part of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, it
provides an armed helicopter capability for U.S. 7th Fleet in support of
logistics, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance missions.
HSC-25 is also the only squadron that maintains a 24-hour
search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture, directly supporting the
U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas.
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