11 rescued off Rota coast

French Air and Space Force A400M pilots conduct a search and rescue mission over the Pacific Ocean, July 10, 2023. The crews were alerted and searched the ocean for a disabled vessel, which they located and provided air support for local search and rescue crews. (TSgt Michael Cossaboom)

American, French, and Canadian forces, in collaboration with local CNMI law enforcement, rescued on Monday 11 individuals who were en route to Guam and were aboard a distressed vessel off the coast of Rota.

U.S, French, and Canadian forces joined local law enforcers to rescue the 11 individuals and the operator of the CNMI-registered boat that was found off the coast of Rota.

Saipan Tribune learned that most, if not all, of the passengers on the boat hold expired CNMI-Only Transitional Workers (or CW-1) visas.

In a news release from the U.S Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, it said that nine of the 11 people rescued are citizens the People’s Republic of China.

“Local law enforcement [on] Rota is currently addressing these matters. The U.S. Coast Guard remains committed to working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of those at sea and the security of our maritime borders,” said U.S. Coast Guard Warrant Officer Sara Muir.

It is believed that these undocumented individuals were headed for Guam seeking asylum. They are currently on Rota awaiting transport to Saipan.

Muir said that watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam’s Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress call at around 5:05pm last July 10 from the operator of the 21-foot vessel Full 20 Horizon, stating the vessel was disabled and adrift in 6-foot seas and 12 mile-per-hour winds at about 30 nautical miles northwest of Rota.

In response, watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, alerting mariners in the area to be aware of the distressed vessel.

Watchstanders initiated coordinated efforts with the CNMI Department of Public Safety on Rota, who launched their 27-foot vessel to aid in the search and rescue mission.

A French Air and Space Force A400 Atlas military transport aircraft and its crew were the first aircrew to respond. They launched from Andersen Air Force Base. They were able to locate the vessel at about 8pm after running a search pattern. They worked to vector in the DPS crew.

Unfortunately, the initial rescue attempt by the DPS crew was hindered by severe sea conditions as winds increased to 18 mph and seas built to 8 feet, forcing them to abort the mission.

However, the French Air and Space Force A400 crew remained on the scene and kept the disabled vessel in its sights.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, the crew of USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), which was on a port call on Saipan, was recalled and watchstanders reengaged with HSC-25 to address the evolving circumstances.

Watchstanders also requested additional overhead support from the U.S. Air Force 36th Wing, who offered a Royal Canadian Air Force HC-130 airplane and crew to replace the French crew due to fuel constraints.

At 11:15pm the Canadian crew informed watchstanders that the lights on the distressed vessel went out, but they maintained visual contact with its position.

The U.S. Navy MH-60 Nighthawk helicopter and crew launched to aid the rescue efforts further. The Nighthawk crew arrived at approximately 1am and immediately commenced hoisting the operator and passengers.

The aircrew transported those rescued to the Rota airport where local emergency responders and law enforcement were waiting for them. No injuries were reported.

The Nighthawk and Canadian aircrews returned to Andersen Air Force Base at 2:40am, successfully concluding their part in the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, the Myrtle Hazard crew continued their search for the vessel relocating it around 10am.

“Partnerships with the U.S. Air Force 36th Wing and U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 at Andersen Air Force Base proved invaluable in securing the assistance of multiple aircraft crews for the response,” Muir said.

Capt. Nick Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, emphasized the importance of aircraft in search and rescue operations at sea

“Aircraft crews play a crucial role in our efforts to save lives in challenging maritime situations. Using aerial assets, combined with our local partnerships, ensures a swift and effective response to distress calls, ultimately increasing the chances of a successful rescue,” he said.