JMU and chopper coordinate sailboat rescue

(CNS): The RCIPS Air Support Unit was put into action over the open sea Sunday when it responded to a distress call from a sailboat in trouble in rough weather. Cayman authorities were contacted yesterday morning by the International Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Montgomery, Texas, reporting an SOS signal from a 46-foot sailing vessel in distress some 80 miles southwest of Grand Cayman.

The RCIPS responded with both the police helicopter and the Joint Marine Unit. At around noon the chopper crew found the boat, Stardust, and established communication. There were two people on board who had lost all engine and generator power and were facing an imminent loss of battery power as well.

The vessel was under sail in very rough seas and was in need of immediate assistance, police said. The crew aboard the Air Support Unit was able to locate a rig support ship, MV Wildebeest, close by and requested assistance on behalf of the Stardust to ensure the safety of the sailing vessel crew.  The Stardust continued on to the Cayman Islands for checks and repairs and was monitored by the Joint Marine Unit.