PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued a 57-year-old man from a 28-foot sailboat sinking 58 miles east of Cape Hatteras, N.C., Sunday.

The GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at approximately 3 p.m. after a personal locator beacon registered to the sailing vessel The Answer started broadcasting a distress signal.

Sector North Carolina dispatched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., to locate the distressed vessel and render assistance. The Jayhawk crew arrived on scene and hoisted the man from the sailboat before taking him to Air Station Elizabeth City.  Upon arrival the man was transported via emergency medical services to Albemarle Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and released.

"Emergency beacons are an important piece of safety equipment," said Captain Anthony Popiel, the commanding officer of Sector North Carolina. "The Coast Guard strongly urges all mariners to carry an EPIRB aboard their vessel, especially when they are offshore and out of marine radio range."

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is towing a 71-foot fishing boat with four people aboard after their vessel became disabled 40 miles east of the coast of Chincoteague Inlet, Thursday.

The Olympic Javelin crew contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at 10:52 p.m. Wednesday, stating they were disabled due to a broken shaft and were requesting assistance.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca, a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Boston, arrived on scene and took the Olympic Javelin in tow. 

The Seneca is towing the Olympic Javelin to the Delaware Bay.

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PERSIAN GULF — The Coast Guard Cutter Monomoy, attached to the Navy's Commander, Task Force 55, rescued six Iranian mariners from a distressed vessel in the North Persian Gulf, Jan. 10.

At approximately 3 a.m. local time, crew aboard the Monomoy, a 110-foot Island-Class patrol boat operating in the area, spotted distress flares and light signals from the Iranian cargo dhow, Ya-Hussayn. The dhow's master requested assistance from Monomoy indicating the engine room was flooding and deemed not seaworthy.

The crew of the Monomoy launched their small boat and approached the Ya-Hussayn. Two persons were rescued from the vessel and four from a life raft tied off to the dhow's stern.

The six Iranian mariners were transferred to the Monomoy and were provided water, blankets, and halal meals. Halal meals are in accordance with Islamic law and are stored aboard Coast Guard ships to provide to Muslim mariners in distress.

An emergency medical technician aboard the Monomoy treated an injured crew member. His injuries were not serious, and there was no requirement for him to be medevaced.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Poole, Monomoy's medic, expressed her sentiments about assisting mariners at sea. "Saving lives is the last thing you expect to do at 0300 while patrolling in the Northern Arabian Gulf, but being in the Coast Guard, that's what we are trained to do."

A civilian interpreter aboard Monomoy provided the initial contact with the Iranian Rescue Coordination Center to report the status of the Ya-Hussayn and coordinate the transfer of the Iranian mariners from Monomoy to shore. Civilian interpreters are routinely embarked on Coast Guard vessels operating within the Persian Gulf.

The master of the Iranian vessel, who also spoke with the Rescue Coordination Center, was appreciative for the assistance to his crew and grateful for the efforts to get them home.

Hakim Hamid-Awi, the owner of the Ya-Hassan stated, "Without your help, we were dead. Thank you for all that you did for us." The Iranian mariners wished the best for the captain and crew.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the six mariners were transferred by rigid hull inflatable boats from Monomoy to the Iranian Coast Guard vessel Naji 7.

The captain of the Naji 7, via translator, said, "Sends his regards and thanks to our Captain and all crewmembers for assisting, and taking care of the Iranian sailors. Wishes us the best, and thanks us for our cooperation."

Monomoy departed the area to continue its mission.

U.S. Navy Capt. Edward Cashman, commander of Task Force 55, commended Monomoy's actions. "Monomoy displayed exceptional skill and professionalism during the night time rescue at sea. Monomoy's presence in the Northern Gulf and the effective coordination of the rescue proves again the value of coalition maritime security operations."

Monomoy is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The 5th District commander presided over an assumption of command ceremony for the Portsmouth based Coast Guard Cutter Frank Drew, Friday.

Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Brown became the Frank Drew's new commanding officer after Rear Adm. William "Dean" Lee pinned Brown with the command afloat badge during the ceremony.

The Frank Drew is a 175-foot Keeper class coastal buoy tender and was launched in 1999.

The primary mission for the crew of the Frank Drew is servicing aids to navigation. The crew's secondary missions include ice breaking, search and rescue and port waterways and coastal security.

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A local Coast Guard Reserve unit deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Wednesday.

During the deployment, Coast Guard Port Security Unit 305 will provide seaward security at strategic port locations around the North Arabian Gulf ensuring the free flow of personnel, equipment and commerce in the region.

“I am extremely proud of the men and women under my command,” said Cmdr. Michael Ferullo, the commanding officer of PSU 305. “With the utmost proficiency and professionalism, they dedicated themselves to preparing for this deployment.”

Prior to deploying, PSU 305 mobilized to complete training with the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Squadron to increase interoperability and cooperation between the two sea services. During the exercise, they protected a mock forward operating base and responded to scenarios ranging from protests to terrorist attacks.

“Our seamless integration and work with our Navy counterparts enables us to conduct this joint service mission,” Ferullo said.

The unit also participated in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Through Yellow Ribbon events, service members and loved ones connect with local resources before, during and after deployments.

PSU 305 provides security and protects military personnel and facilities from terrorism, sabotage, espionage, subversion, and attack. The unit has a proud operational heritage, including securing New York Harbor after 9/11 and in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Desert Storm, Noble Eagle and Uphold Democracy.

PSUs are a component of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group. The DOG provides properly equipped, trained and organized deployable specialized forces to the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and interagency operational and tactical commanders.

BALTIMORE — The commandant of the Coast Guard spoke at a ceremony recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the 25th anniversary of the decommissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Roger B. Taney here Wednesday.

The Taney, which has been displayed in Baltimore as a museum and memorial since 1987, was one of the U.S. fighting ships in Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. Taney’s crew, moored alongside Pier 6, in Honolulu Harbor manned the cutter’s anti-aircraft guns after receiving word of the surprise attack.

The museum staff hosted the event with an additional special heritage award presented from the World Ship Trust to the Taney's staff in recognition of the cutters historic significance.

PHILADELPHIA – Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay crewmembers met with a group of delegates from the Republic of China at the sector Tuesday, as part of the Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program.

The delegates viewed a presentation about Sector Delaware Bay’s operations and spent the day touring area port facilities.

The program’s objective is to engage in discussions with trading nations around the world, exchange information and share best practices to align port security programs.

Nations participating in the program cooperate through the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which is the only internationally accepted blueprint for the implementation of security measures for maritime infrastructure.