Tanker crew rescue distressed boater off Long Island, New York

The crew of a Good Samaritan vessel rescued an 81-year-old male aboard a disabled sailing vessel approximately 400 miles (643 kilometres) southeast of Long Island, New York on Tuesday, June 15.

Coast Guard First District Command Center watchstanders received a report at approximately 04:52 local time on Tuesday that the 36-foot (10.9-metre), German-flagged sailing vessel Katharina was disabled due to a broken mast.

A Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft crew immediately launched to assist. Once the HC-144 crew were on scene, they established communication with Katharina, and queried all automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) vessels within the area.

Upon making contact with multiple AMVER vessels, the crew of Mare Picenum, an 898-foot (273-metre) Italian-flagged oil tanker less than 25 miles (40 kilometres) away, accepted the request, and diverted to assist.

Mare Picenum‘s crew received notification at approximately 09:30 and safely rescued the sailor at 12:54. The sailor, who reported no medical concerns or injuries, was the only person aboard the distressed vessel.

Weather on scene was reported as 35mph (30-knot) winds with five-foot (1.5-metre) seas.