Stranded boaters rescued near Rota
SONGSONG, Rota—Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam, and rescue crews from Rota recovered three stranded boaters a mile offshore near the village of Songsong on Tuesday, 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 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. (Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Office)
