DESERT SPRING

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Bulkcarrier rescued three mariners in Atlantic

Three crew members of the distressed 36-foot Swedish-flagged sailing vessel "Othilia" were rescued by the "Desert Spring", traveling to San Juan, on May 5, 2018. The Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center watchstanders received notification of the sailing vessel taking on water approximately 460 miles northeast of Puerto Rico on May 3. The watchstanders issued an Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System callout notifying vessels transiting in the vicinity of the yacht. The Coast Guard was assisted by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Sweden in coordinating and identifying the "Desert Spring" to assist in the rescue of the three Swedish mariners. Due to the distance offshore, Sector San Juan was able to utilized both of these systems to promptly identify a merchant vessel to respond and track the distressed mariners using the GPS coordinates sent from the emergency position indicating radio beacon until help could arrive. The "Desert Spring" arrived on scene at approximately 6 p.m. and safely transferred the three mariners from the sinking vessel. They were transported to Sector San Juan, on May 5 at approximately noon with no reported injuries. The bulkcarrier continued its voyage from Owendo to Southwest Pass, EAT May 9.