Coast Guard rescues yacht crew 200 nautical miles west of Palau

The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew is towing the motor yacht Black Pearl 1, located approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau, after responding to a distress call on July 21, 2024. 

The 11-person yacht crew, who reported a locked rudder and flooding in the bilge, is being assisted by the Oliver Henry’s crew with dewatering and damage control as they head for Palau. Their estimated time of arrival is 33 hours.

“Our primary concern is the safety of everyone aboard the Black Pearl 1… We will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure the vessel and its crew reach safety,” said Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the US Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator for the case. 

The cutter crew was on a routine patrol for Operation Rematau when they received the distress signal and responded. The vessel is a 154-foot 497-ton Belize-flagged luxury yacht designed for dive excursions. They were reportedly en route to Cebu, Philippines, for maintenance.

By 6:12 a.m on July 21, the USCGC Oliver Henry crew arrived on the scene and noted the vessel’s steering issues, including a locked rudder at 10 degrees, and that the vessel was taking on water.  At 6:53 a.m., the Oliver Henry crew placed a rescue and assistance team aboard the Black Pearl 1 to help with dewatering and assess damage control needs.

“Search and rescue is the Coast Guard’s no-fail mission, and our commitment to this responsibility is unwavering. Fast response cutters, like the USCGC Oliver Henry, are crucial in our ability to respond effectively to emergencies across this vast region. The AMVER system is another critical tool in our mission. Sponsored by the US Coast Guard, AMVER is a global ship-reporting system that allows us to identify and divert participating ships to assist those in distress at sea without imposing additional obligations beyond international law. In an emergency like this, we are all partners,” said Capt. Robert Kistner, commander of US Coast Guard Forces Micronesia. 

US Coast Guard Forces Micronesia personnel are responsible for a 1.9 million square nautical miles search and rescue zone.