At approximately 6:25am, the sailing vessel Missfit’s captain contacted Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay Command Center via VHF-FM radio, requesting assistance after the vessel had lost propulsion in 35-knot winds, and 20-foot seas were threatening to capsize the vessel approximately 35 miles west of Klamath.
Sector Humboldt Bay immediately dispatched two MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews to the scene to assist.
Upon arriving on scene with the sailboat, the Dolphin crews deployed their rescue swimmers and hoisted all three passengers and their Chihuahua aboard.
The passengers of the Misfit were transported to Sector Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville where they were met by awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
“I’m very proud of the response that our helicopter and command center crews provided on this rescue,” said Cmdr. Brendan Hilleary, the Sector Humboldt Bay Response chief. “Their professionalism and decisive action were the key to a successful outcome.”
The crew consisted of a 52-year-old male captain, a 72-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, who reported they were on a journey from Washington and headed to San Francisco when the sailboat became disabled.
No injuries to the crew or Chihuahua were reported.
