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SANTA RITA, Guam — Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard and Guam Fire Department rescued 45 people from a disabled passenger vessel off Agat, Guam, Friday.
A Guam Fire Rescue 3 crew arrived on the scene off Agat Bay at 10 a.m. and reported smoke coming from the engine compartment of the Princess Guam, a 45-foot catamaran.
Two 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews and a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor evacuated 45 passengers from the catamaran and transported them back to Agat Marina. An RB-M crew then put the Princess Guam in tow and returned it safely to the marina.
“Strong teamwork with the Guam Fire Department was a critical component of today’s mission,” said Lt. Cmdr. Derek Wallin, search and rescue mission coordinator, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. “Through our joint efforts, we successfully rescued 45 people, demonstrating the strength of our partnership and unwavering commitment to mariner safety.”
At 9:30 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders received a notification on VHF-FM channel 16 from the Princess Guam reporting smoke coming from the engine compartment. Watchstanders notified Guam Fire Rescue 3 and directed the launch of the boat crews from Station Apra Harbor.
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About U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam
The U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam team focuses on maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania. With a primary presence in Guam and Saipan and over 300 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the team maintains a strong U.S. presence in the Micronesia sub-region and adjacent areas, closely tied to local communities.
About U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor
In Guam, U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor is a critical operational unit responsible for search and rescue missions, law enforcement, and maritime security. Equipped with advanced 45-foot and 29-foot response boats and a highly trained crew, the station is pivotal in executing the U.S. Coast Guard's mission in the Pacific region.
For more information about U.S. Coast Guard actions, please get in touch with CWO Sara Muir, Public Affairs Officer, at sara.g.muir@uscg.mil or uscgforcesmicronesia@gmail.com.