U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescues a disabled fishing vessel crew near Satawal Atoll, FSM

SANTA RITA, Guam — On Aug. 18, 2024, the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew successfully rescued six fishermen and towed their disabled fishing vessel to Satawal Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), marking the end of a coordinated search and rescue operation showcasing strong international and local partnerships. “This operation underscores the vital importance of Personal Locator Beacons in maritime safety. By quickly alerting us to the fishermens’ location; the PLB effectively took the ‘search’ out of ‘search and rescue’ by narrowing the search area significantly and allowing us to focus on the swift recovery of the vessel. This highlights the strength of our regional partnerships and the profound impact of technology in enhancing our mission effectiveness.” said Cmdr. Patton Epperson, the search and rescue mission coordinator on the case, highlighting the collaborative nature of the mission.