Coast Guard rescues multiple people from grounded vessels near Brownsville

[The Patriot]

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The Coast Guard, along with the Cameron County Constables, South Padre Island Fire Department and the Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Division responded to multiple reports of vessels in distress late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. The vessels were Mexican-flagged fishing boats seeking safe harbor in the Port of Brownsville because of Tropical Storm Hermine.

A 33-foot Response Boat-Small and crew from Station South Padre Island were dispatched to assist the fishing vessel Cameron in the Brownsville Ship Channel near Port Isabel Monday evening. The Cameron was refloated by the incoming tide later in the evening.

The crew of a 33-foot Response Boat-Small from Station South Padre Island also responded to the report of two vessels aground approximately 200 meters from the South Padre Island jetties. The fishing vessels Don Pesca 67 and Geraldo I remain grounded, and all 10 crewmembers were rescued and treated for minor injuries.

A beach rescue team from Station South Padre Island responded to the grounded fishing vessel Acer II early Tuesday morning. The vessel was drifting toward the beach and reported that the vessel's anchor was disabled north of the South Padre Island jetties. The Acer II's seven crewmembers and a dog were evacuated and treated for minor injuries.

An additional 50 to 70 Mexican-flagged fishing vessels sought safe harbor in the Port of Brownsville.

"The Coast Guard values training and our relationships with partner agencies. This was a good example of how that training pays off when it has to be put to use," said Lt. Mickey Lalor, commanding officer of Station South Padre Island.




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