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Release date: Dec. 10, 2003 |
| Release: 153-03 |
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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U.S. COAST GUARD RESCUES FAMILY OF 4 |
HOUSTON -- The U.S. Coast Guard hoisted a family of four to safety this afternoon, after their boat ran aground and began taking on water in West Bay near Galveston, Texas.
The two adults and two children were in a 20-foot boat when they hit an oyster reef at around 12:45 p.m.
A Galveston police dispatcher called Coast Guard Group Galveston watchstanders and notified them of the situation. The watchstanders sent a small boat crew from Station Galveston, a rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Houston to the scene, and issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify other boaters in the area.
The small boat crew was unable to get close enough to pull the people to safety, due to the shallow water, so the helicopter crew hoisted and transported the four to Scholes International Airport in Galveston. EMS checked all four and reported they were in good condition.
The proper use of safety equipment such as life jackets and marine band radios greatly increases the chance of survival if something should happen while boating.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.
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