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Sailboat saved from capsizing in marina
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Posted on Feb 29 2012
AGAT, Guam—Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor assisted members of Guam Fire and Rescue in the salvage of a sailing vessel in Agat Marina, Wednesday.
The Coast Guard received a call for assistance from the fire department reporting that the sailing vessel Makena was taking on water at the marina pier.
Station Apra Harbor crewmembers responded with dewatering pumps. A Coast Guard reservist noticed the sailing vessel leaning heavily on one side and reported the incident.
Coast Guard crews worked for four hours to dewater the vessel with three pumps, a hand operated bilge pump, and buckets. Water 4 to 5 feet deep filled the bilges through the entire vessel. Crews worked to prevent any environmental impact and collateral damage to the vessel.
“I was proud of the expeditious response by my crew and very impressed with the collaborative teamwork effort with Guam Fire and Rescue and the local boat owners and captains within Agat Marina,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Pavlik, a boatswain’s mate and officer-in-charge of Station Apra Harbor. “My first concern after arriving on scene was the safety of my crew and those assisting with the dewatering effort, but I knew we had a small window of time to effectively and safely respond to avert the potential for a more serious situation from occurring, had the vessel capsized.”
Mariners are reminded to conduct routine inspections and maintenance of installed dewatering equipment and alarms. Additionally, watertight doors and hatches should remain closed, especially while the vessel is moored, to minimize the spreading of flooding, should it occur. [I](USCG)[/I]
