02/12/2013: The aircrew of an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter return after locating and rescuing a boater that had run aground Dec. 14, 2012, near Port Arthur, Texas.
A 33-year-old man was rescued by a Coast Guard aircrew when his boat ran aground, Friday, approximately 7 miles southeast of Port Arthur.The daughter of an employee from Dustin Gulf Seafood, reported the missing man to Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received the initial call from the daughter of an employee from Dustin Gulf Seafood, reporting that the man had not arrived at his usual time.
“The guy usually parks in the area,” Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Fojtik, a watchstander at Sector Houston-Galveston, “and when he didn’t show up, they were concerned and called us.” 24-foot airboat and crew were launched from Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass and a rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station Houston-Galveston. The aircrew located the boat and while searching the surrounding area, located the man, standing on land, waving his arms to signal the aircrew. The aircrew hoisted him aboard the helicopter and transported him to Beaumont Municipal Airport where EMS was standing by.“It’s always important to have a float plan,” said Fojtik. “If something does happen on the water, it helps us narrow down where to search, better focusing our efforts.”
Credit:U.S. Coast Guard District 8 PADET Houston: 12/14/12
For stories dealing with the Dauphin helicopter, which is a maintstay of the USCG fleet, see the following:
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/visiting-the-dauphin-final-assembly-line/
Also see the book length study on Air Mobility
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/defense-security-publications/