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NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard rescued four boaters after their vessel capsized near Dauphin Island, Alabama, Thursday.
Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders received a call at approximately 1:50 p.m. from the Coast Guard National Command Center reporting an SOS signal from a satellite communicator. Watchstanders were able to link to the satellite communicator and communicate with one of the boaters who reported that the 28-foot catamaran vessel he was on had capsized with four persons aboard. Reportedly all persons were in the water and they had no personal flotation devices available.
Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew that was already airborne to the location of the distressed boaters and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew to assist. Three Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews that were already airborne for training also diverted to assist.
The aircrews arrived on scene, one of the Dolphin helicopter aircrews hoisted all 4 persons aboard and transported them back to Aviation Training Center Mobile in Mobile, Alabama.
No injuries or fatalities were reported.
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