Seismic Vessel Rescues Sailor in Distress in Gulf of Mexico

On Wednesday, the crew of the seismic vessel Hugin Explorer rescued a sailor in distress about 200 nm off Galveston, Texas.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a report from the crew the Explorer reporting that the sailing vessel Pomodoro was taking on water and in need of assistance. The Explorer's crew were near the scene, and they relayed the Pomodoro's radio distress calls to Sector Houston-Galveston.

A Coast Guard Air Station Houston helicopter crew and an Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew were launched to the scene. The crew of the Hugin Explorer arrived first, rescued the sailor from the stricken vessel and brought him on board. Weather on scene was reported as eight-foot seas with 20-knot winds.

The MH-65 helicopter crew soon arrived on scene, and they hoisted the sailor from the Explorer's deck and carried him to an airport in Galveston. The Pomodoro was left adrift, and the Coast Guard broadcast a notice to mariners about the potential hazard. 

“The mariner’s level of safety preparedness along with the quick actions of the crew of the Hugin Explorer led to the positive outcome today,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Mckendrick, situation unit controller at Sector Houston-Galveston. “The mariner was able to don his lifejacket, activate his emergency position indicating radio beacon and contact nearby vessels by radio for assistance.”

The Hugin Explorer was built as a 3,300 dwt PSV and later converted into a seismic survey vessel. She is based in the Gulf of Mexico on a long term charter.