Monday Update: U.S. Coast Guard officials have confirmed that two people were killed and the search continues for four people missing after after a strong squall hit a sailing regatta in Mobile Bay Saturday. Two bodies were recovered over the weekend. The Coast Guard said that a fifth person believed to be missing was found safe in his home.
The Coast Guard is expected to provide another update Monday.
Previous: A multi-agency search is underway and will continue through the night for at least five missing boaters after a strong storm system passed the Mobile Bay, Alabama area Saturday afternoon.
The Coast Guard received reports Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m. that a sailing regatta had been hit by a strong line of thunderstorms that passed through the area, with multiple reports of missing persons, capsized vessels and persons in the water.
By Saturday night, more than 40 people were rescued by a combined effort of multiple agencies and good Samaritans.
Local media reports that the bodies of two people have been recovered.
A strong line of thunderstorms pushed eastward across the Mobile Bay area Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m., resulting in winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. Mariners in the area were caught off guard, including a regatta sailing event taking place in the Dauphin Island area.
The agencies continued to search on Sunday for at least five people still believed to be missing. An update Sunday from the Coast Guard said that the search would continue overnight Sunday.
“In a combined effort, multi-agency responders have covered more than 2,500 square miles searching for survivors and we will continue to do so tonight,” said Capt. Duke Walker, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Mobile. “We are very grateful for the continued assistance of state, local agencies and Good Samaritans who helped individuals in distress. Because of these combined efforts, over 40 people were rescued throughout this case.“
As of Sunday afternoon, the search included:
An HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew.
An HH-60 Jayhawk crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
Three 45-foot response boat-medium crews from Coast guard Station Dauphin Island.
A 29-foot response boat-small crew from Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island
Two 87-foot Coast Guard patrol boat crews – the Coast Guard cutter Stingray and Cobia.
Three Coast Guard 26-foot TANB aids to navigation boat crews
Three Alabama Marine Resources boat crews.
Four Alabama Marine Patrol boat crews.
Four Mobile County Sheriff’s Department flotilla crews.
One Coast Guard Auxiliary fixed wing aircraft crew.
By Ellen Francis (Reuters) – Interpol has issued red notices for the captain and owner of the ship that carried the chemicals which devastated Beirut in an explosion in August, killing 200...
By Chen Aizhu (Reuters) – China has issued 5 million tonnes of clean marine fuel export quotas in the first release for 2021, to five companies including a private refiner,...
By Andrea Shalal (Reuters) – The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and...
December 23, 2020
Total Views: 831
Sign Up Now for gCaptain Daily
Just enter your email and get hot news every morning
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.