The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a yacht crew 200 nautical miles west of Palau

U.S. Coast Guard Micronesia/Guam

SANTA RITA, Guam – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) is currently towing the motor yacht Black Pearl 1, which was located approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau on July 21, 2024, after responding to a distress call.

“Our primary concern is the safety of all aboard the Black Pearl 1. The quick response and continued efforts of the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Oliver Henry demonstrate our commitment to protecting life at sea. We will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure the safety of the vessel and crew,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator.

The yacht has 11 crew members who report that the rudder is locked and the bilges are flooding. The Oliver Henry crew is assisting with drainage and damage control and is heading to Palau. ETA is 33 hours. Weather reports on site are 25 mph winds and 4 to 6 foot waves.

The crew of the speedboat was on a routine patrol mission as part of Operation Lematao when they received a distress signal and responded immediately. The boat is a Belize-flagged luxury yacht, 154 feet long, 497 tons, designed for diving excursions. They were reportedly heading to Cebu, Philippines for maintenance.

At 3:37 pm on July 20, the JRSC Guam watch received an Inmarsat C distress alert relayed by the JRCC Australia team, identifying the yacht Black Pearl 1. The initial message lacked nature of distress or position information, but the watch received the AIS position and evacuated the Oliver Henry crew.

They also spotted the US-flagged general cargo vessel SLNC York 135 nautical miles away and requested its assistance through the Automatic Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program. They changed course and arrived on scene at 12:30am on July 21. They first contacted the yacht crew and relayed the vessel steering problems to Oliver Henry, but did not request assistance and attempted repairs. All personnel on board were in good health and the vessel had power.

At 6:12 a.m. on July 21, the U.S. Coast Guard Oliver Henry crew arrived on scene and found the vessel was experiencing steering issues, including the rudder being locked at 10 degrees, and the vessel was taking on water.

At 6:53 a.m., the Oliver Henry crew deployed a rescue and assistance team on the Black Pearl 1 to assist with dewatering and assessing damage control needs. The JRSC Guam watch officer is coordinating with the vessel’s management company in China and the Palau Search and Rescue Liaison Officer to seek additional support from the Palau Maritime Authority.

“Search and rescue is an integral Coast Guard mission and our commitment to this responsibility is unwavering. Fast response patrol boats like the USCGC Oliver Henry are essential to our ability to effectively respond to emergencies across this vast region. The AMVER system is another important tool in our mission. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, AMVER is a global vessel reporting system that allows us to identify and divert participating vessels to assist persons in distress at sea without additional obligations beyond those under international law. In emergencies like this, we are all partners,” said Capt. Robert Kistner, Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Force Micronesia.

“USCG Micronesia personnel, responsible for the 1.9 million square nautical mile search and rescue area, continue to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of all lives at sea. This incident highlights the Coast Guard’s commitment to maintaining maritime interests and security throughout the blue Pacific and its unwavering commitment to serving the nation and its partners.”

— U.S. Coast Guard —

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