Titanic Flight Diverted to Aid Sinking Vessel

[Soundbounder]

A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J rescue plane is being diverted from their Titanic commemoration flight to aid a sinking French vessel approximately 1,300 miles east of Boston, Saturday.

The rescue plane crew, from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., was in St. Johns, Newfoundland, in preparations for a ceremony to drop five wreaths over the Titanic resting site.

First Coast Guard District Command Center watchstanders, based out of Boston, were notified at 7:30 a.m. by Rescue Coordination Center Gris Nez, in Normandy, France, that the 40-foot sailing vessel UBU 7′s rudder was leaking, but the boat was still buoyant. There are three persons aboard.

http://boatinglocal.com/news/titanic-flight-diverted-to-aid-sinking-vessel.html

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[Soundbounder]

Some photos of the Titanic rose petal ceremony here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150688357929398.404494.273794229397&type=3

 

[Benny17441]

Interesting, would think the USCG had some other capable aviation assets in District One. Makes me wonder about budget cuts.

 

[higgs]

What does the CG care about memorial services for the Titanic? We paid for their involvement?

 

[kloudie1]

Training flight.. gonna happen anyway.. might as well make a gesture with the flight in addition to gathering flight hours..

 

[Soundbounder]

Training flight.. gonna happen anyway.. might as well make a gesture with the flight in addition to gathering flight hours..

That's the way I understood it.

Here's an update:

First Coast Guard District Command Center watchstanders, based out of Boston, were notified at 7:30 a.m. by Rescue Coordination Center Gris Nez, in Normandy, France, that the 40-foot sailing vessel UBU 7′s rudder was leaking, but the boat was still buoyant.

The Spanish fishing vessel Generoso Tercero was identified by the Super Hercules’ aircrew during the aircraft’s transit from St. John’s, Newfoundland, and was diverted to rescue the sailors. All three sailors are safely aboard Generoso Tercero with no reported injuries.

The Moscow Sea, a member of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System, is en route to meet with the fishing vessel and transfer the sailors aboard.

http://boatinglocal.com/news/update-titanic-flight-diverted-to-aid-french-vessel.html

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[Benny17441]

Oh, no question about the need to assist, just wondered why an aircraft based in NC had to be diverted for a rescue in District One. I got my answer and it is that Air Station Cape Cod is only equipped with 4 rescue helicopters and patrol jet aircrafts, neither intended for rescue work well offshore. There is also no question the Guard does an excellent job while still fulfilling Homeland Security responsibilities.