Coast Guard Search and Rescue Controller of the Year Announced
U. S. Coast Guard
June 17, 2005
SEATTLE - Coast Guard headquarters in Washington D.C., selected a North Bend, Ore., Coast Guardsmen as the Search and Rescue Controller of the year for 2004.
Petty Officer First Class Samuel T. Bass of Coast Guard Group/Air Station North Bend was chosen over several other competitors from all over the nation for the award for his superb investigative work, keen use of resources and comprehensive search planning.
Bass displayed his superior abilities during the rescue of a 30-year-old Newport, Ore., man who fell overboard from his fishing vessel near Yaquina Bay, Ore., Feb. 29, 2004.
Scott Morales was knocked overboard from his 40-foot fishing vessel Cathan by a wave while trying to pull crab pots on board. His vessel crept away, leaving Morales clinging to three crab pots in the 50-degree waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay received a report of the Cathan aground and breaking up in the surf. Bass immediately dispatched rescue resources to assist. It was evident that no one on board the crumbling Cathan could have survived being pounded by the surf.
Bass quickly developed probable scenarios for how the fishing vessel went aground based on his experience and training.
He used reports from other vessels on the last known sighting of the Cathan and weather conditions to establish a probable search area. He quickly diverted a helicopter and rescue boat and launched an additional helicopter and rescue boat to search.
As daylight was waning and the probability of any survivors succumbing to hyperthermia increased, rescuers located Morales clinging to a group of crab pot floats.
He was hoisted by a helicopter and flown to shore where an awaiting ambulance transported him to the hospital.
Bass's superb search and rescue techniques will be used as an example to train other Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators.
|
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.
Copyright 2012 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
