Coast Guard continues search for missing boaters in Mobile Bay area after 70 miles per hour winds hit the area. At least 2 dead, 5 still missing.

April 26, 2015

 

 

MOBILE, ALABAMA


The Coast Guard continues to search for at least five people in the Mobile Bay area Sunday.

Rescuers searched throughout the night for the missing boaters and have covered a total of 1,773 square miles as of 11:00 a.m., Sunday.

More than 40 people have been rescued by a combined effort of multiple agencies and good Samaritans. One boater was rescued by a Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island rescue crew at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday.

A strong line of thunderstorms pushed eastward across the Mobile Bay area Saturday at approximately 3:30 p.m., resulting in winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. Mariners in the area were caught off guard, including a regatta sailing event in the Dauphin Island area.

Mariners in the area were caught off guard, including a regatta sailing event in the Dauphin Island area.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile and Station Dauphin Island quickly responded to numerous calls for help and are coordinating search efforts.

On scene are:

• An HC-144 Ocean Sentry and HH-60 Jayhawk crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile.

• A MH65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.

• Three 45-foot response boat – Medium crews from Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island and Pascagoula.

• A 29-foot response boat  – Small from Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island.

Many local agencies have responded as part of the South Alabama Rescue, Search and Recovery Network as well as other state and local agencies.
The Coast Guard has established a temporary Public Information Line for this event to report missing people or pollution related to damaged vessels at: 251-441-6602 or 251-441-6920.