SUNSHINE STATE

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Tanker assisted in rescue of sinking shrimper

The "Sunshine State" assisted the sinking trawler "Footprint" approximately 80 miles southeast of Galveston on June 20, 2017. At about 9 p.m., the 68-foot shrimping trawler with four people aboard broadcasted a mayday over VHF marine band channel 16, which was partially received by Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders. The entire transmission was overheard by the "Sunshine State", which assisted in relaying the rest of it to the watchstanders. They reported the trawler was taking on water and its onboard pumps were not working fast enough. A Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew was dispatched along with an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and the Coast Guard Cutter "Pompano", an 87-foot patrol boat. At 1:26 a.m. on June 21, the helicopter arrived on scene and the crew attempted to lower a rescue swimmer, but was unable to do so due to weather conditions. The aircrew then lowered a dewatering pump, which the trawler crew was able to use to stop the vessel from sinking. The "Footprint" began making its way towards Freeport at 3:35 a.m., under the escort of the "Pompano", and arrived at the Freeport jetties at 11:29 a.m. The Ocean Sentry aircrew provided air support to maintain visual contact and radio communications while the helicopter was on scene.