BREAKING NEWS: 2 mariners rescued, search for third continues

The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), aboard the cutter’s small boat, rescue two mariners from the water about halfway between Guam and Rota midday on Feb. 9, 2023, after being vectored into the debris field by a Guam Army Air National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter crew who found the debris initially, before continuing the search for a third missing mariner. The crew responded to a mayday call from the master of the 42-foot vessel Senior Dung on Feb. 8 along with other federal and local responders. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

SANTA RITA, Guam—The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two mariners, and responders are searching for the third missing mariner between Guam and Rota today, Feb. 9.

The USCGC Myrtle Hazard crew rescued two of the three mariners about halfway between Guam and Rota midday after being vectored into the debris field by a Guam Army Air National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter crew who found the debris initially. 

They were taken aboard the Myrtle Hazard, in good condition and uninjured, before being transferred to a Station Apra Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium for further transport to Agana Boat Basin, where they were met by Guam Fire Department personnel.

The search is ongoing for the third mariner. The rescued mariners confirmed the vessel sank and reported the third person was alive and with them but became separated from them during the night. The Myrtle Hazard crew continues to search. The Station Apra Harbor crew is swapping out for a fresh crew and doing necessary maintenance before returning to the scene. An HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing crew arrived in Guam Feb. 9 and is in mandatory crew rest. They are scheduled to join the search on the morning of Feb. 10. 

The three mariners departed Guam aboard a 42-foot vessel, the Senior Dung, heading from Guam to Rota on Feb. 8. Anyone with information should call the U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam Joint Rescue Sub-Center at +1 671-355-4824. 

Responders involved to date include crews from:

• Guam Fire Department
• Rota Department of Public Safety
• U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two-Five
• Guam Army Air National Guard
• U.S. Air Force
• USCGC Myrtle Hazard
• U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor
• U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam Joint Rescue Sub-center

At 7:30pm on Feb. 8, watchstanders at the FM/SG JSRC received a mayday call over VHF-FM Channel reporting the vessel Senior Dong taking on water between Rota and Guam. The master stated there were three people aboard, and the vessel was sinking. Communications were lost while gathering information from the master. Guam Fire Department confirmed seeing the vessel depart Hagåtña Marina earlier in the day.

Watchstanders immediately diverted the USCGC Myrtle Hazard from patrol northwest of the scene and directed the launch of a Station Apra Harbor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium rescue boat crew. They requested assistance from Guam Fire Department rescue boat crews and HSC-25 using their MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter. Daylight searches on Feb. 9 include efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard, Guam Army Air National Guard, and HC-130s attached to the U.S. Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron out of Yokota Air Base in Japan in Guam for the Cope North exercises.

The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139), aboard the cutter’s small boat, rescue two mariners from the water about halfway between Guam and Rota midday on Feb. 9, 2023, after being vectored into the debris field by a Guam Army Air National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter crew who found the debris initially, before continuing the search for a third missing mariner. The crew responded to a mayday call from the master of the 42-foot vessel Senior Dung on Feb. 8 along with other federal and local responders. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Weather on scene is forecast as a northeast wind of 15 to 20 knots with wind waves of 3 to 4 feet and an east swell of 5 to 7 feet. A small craft advisory and a rip current statement are in effect. (USCG)