CMA CGM AQUILA

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Container ship assisted disabled yacht

The 'CMA CGM Aquila', enroute from Oakland to Yantian, assisted the disabled 33-ft-s/y 'Sirus' which was found with damage to the sails, engine and steering with three people aboard approximately 75 miles southwest of Gualala Point, California, on Sep 4, 2020. The crew contacted the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center watchstanders via VHF radio channel 16 at approximately 7:10 p.m., reporting three people aboard the 'Sirus' that was found disabled. The 'CMA CGA Aquila' reported a member aboard the yacht had suffered a minor head injury. and the vessel had damage to its sails, engine and steering components. The yacht had been out to sea for 13 days on their route from Coos Bay, Oregon to San Diego and were low on food and water. The Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine-information broadcast and diverted the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter 'Tern', an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in San Francisco, from Santa Cruz. Several good Samaritans responded to the urgent marine-information broadcast offering assistance to the Sirus. The crew aboard the 'Seanna', a 195-foot luxury yacht, reported they were approximately 30 miles away and diverted course toward the 'Sirus'. The crew aboard the 'Polar Enterprise' reported they were approximately 75 miles away and diverted course toward the 'Sirus'. The 'CMA CGA Aquila' transferred food and water to the yacht and remained on scene with the Sirus until the 'Seanna' arrived around 11:45 p.m. and transferred a VHF radio, flares, food and water. The 'Seanna' then remained on scene until the tank m/v 'Polar Enterprise', enroute from Valdez to San Francisco, arrived on Sep 5 around 2:35 a.m., and remained on scene until the 'Tern' arrived around 3:05 p.m. and put the 'Sirus' in a stern tow en route to Bodega Bay. During the transit, the 'Tern' reported hazardous sea conditions and Coast Guard watchstanders recommended diverting course toward the San Francisco Bay to provide a safer ride in the sea state. The 'Tern' met a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge and transferred the tow around 8:00 a.m. on Sep 6. The MLB crew completed the tow and safely moored the vessel at Pier 45 in Sausalito around 8:45 a.m. Report with photos: https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-good-samaritans-rescue-3-aboard-disabled-sailboat/2020/09/07/