HORIZON THEANO

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Tanker assisted distressed yacht crew

US Coast Guard air and surface units along with the 'Horizon Theano' assisted the distressed Danish sailing vessel 'Zoma' on Feb 22, 2021, after she started taking on water with eight people onboard in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 80 nautical miles south of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. The 46-foot sailing vessel had five Danish and three French nationals, including two minors, on board. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a distress VHF-FM radio communication from the vessel Zoma at 9:53 a.m. transmitted on Channel 16. The master of the 'Zoma' reported the vessel was taking on water at a rate of 10 gallons per minute. Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Borinquen and diverted the cutter 'Joseph Tezanos' to rendezvous with the vessel Zoma and provide rescue assistance. Watchstanders also transmitted an Emergency Group Calling communication to nearby vessel traffic capable of assisting. The 'Horizon Theano', enroute from Limetree Bay to Oranjestad, responded to the call and escorted the sailing vessel while Coast Guard units arrived on scene. Upon rendezvous with the 'Zoma', the Coast Guard helicopter crew lowered their rescue swimmer and a dewatering pump to the sailing vessel. The rescue swimmer initiated pumping operations and worked with the vessel master, using rigid life jackets to inflatable paddleboards, to help contain the flooding. Shortly thereafter, the 'Joseph Tezanos' also arrived and with the assistance of the cutter’s small boat transferred the cutter’s damage control team and an additional dewatering pump aboard the Zoma. As dewatering efforts continued, the 'Joseph Tezanos' crew embarked four passengers from the sailing vessel, including the two minors. The damage control team worked on patching up a one by two-foot hole on the 'Zoma'’s starboard side reportedly caused by the vessel’s anchor. The accomplished patchwork and dewatering efforts by the 'Joseph Tezanos' and 'Zoma' crews helped stabilize the sailing vessel. The cutter then safely escorted the vyacht to the Club Nautico in Ponce, Puerto Rico Tuesday morning, where Customs and Border Protection Officers assisted the survivors with humanitarian entry into the United States for the vessel to complete repairs. Report with photo: https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-assists-danish-sailing-vessel-taking-on-water/2021/02/23/