Pillar Point Harbor Search and Rescue Team Receives Commendation from United States Coast Guard: 3 Lives Assisted and 30' Vessel Saved from Pedro Point Rocks in Terrible Weather

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VIDEO. From the San Mateo County Harbor District Commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 1:00pm as a hybrid meeting.

District staff received Commendation from USCG for rescue efforts:

From the Regular Board Meeting March 15, 2023 Activity Report Operations.

Pillar Point Harbor “Open Range” Vessel Rescue

Pillar Point Rescue Swimmer preparing to rescue, on a sunny day.

Onboard R/V (Rescue Vehicle) with Deputy Harbor Masters’s:

Matt Sumner
North Cossman
Adam Bloomer

Shoreside:

Dante Madrigal, Assistant Harbor Master

C Tibbe, Harbor Master

Owen Moore, Deputy Harbor Master B

Good evening Mr. Tibbe,

I am the Command Duty Officer at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco and would like to pass my appreciation for the Search and Rescue assistance provided by Pillar Point Harbor Master. The below are the details of the case. Pillar Point Harbor Master rapid response prevented a vessel from running aground and having a catastrophic situation. Three lives were assisted and the vessel was saved.

SITUATION:

At 1422U on February 10, 2023, Commercial Salvor VESSEL ASSIST relayed a report they received at 1353U.

27 ft vessel, OPEN RANGE, is disabled approximately 2nm off Pt Montara State Beach.

The vessel is enroute to Pillar Point Harbor.

VESSEL ASSIST declined to respond due to the weather exceeding their limitations.

Sector San Francisco interviewed the vessel operator. Operator states his engine are disabled and the vessel is adrift. Anchor was deployed but the anchor line snaped and the operator has high apprehension of his vessel running aground up against the rocks. 3 people are onboard, all adult males.

The operator states they do not have PFD but do have exposure suits. Sector instructed them to DON their exposure suits. Sector San Francisco, LCDR Yang, assumed SMC and evaluated the case in the distress emergency phase.

ORM (Operational Risk Management) evaluated as M/H due to weather, close proximity to shore and danger of the vessel running around. Sector Command Center confirmed the vessel location and determined the vessel is actually off Pedro Point and less than 1 mile off Pedro Point, Pacifica .

Sector San Francisco issued a UMIB (Urgent Marine Information Broadcast – informs of Search and Rescue SAR event) and briefed Air Station San Francisco for launch.

Station Golden Gate is unable to respond due to being involved in a tow of another SAR case and an escort.

Sector Command Center reached out to Pillar Point Harbor Master for assistance.

Pillar Point Harbor Master conducted an ORM evaluation (Operational Risk Management) and reported they are able to respond.

The Harbor master also stated that they know of the vessel homeported out of Pillar Point Harbor.

Sector Command Center updated the operator onboard VSL OPEN RANGE with our response plan.

At 1430U (8 minutes from initial call) Pillar Point Harbor Master reports they are underway, eta 30 minutes.

At 1450U Rescue Helo is air born with a 5 minute eta.

At 1500U the Rescue Helo arrived on scene, located, and established communication with VSL OPEN RANGE.

Rescue Helo will remain on scene until Pillar Point Harbor Master arrive on scene.

At 1514U Pillar Point Harbor Master vessel arrived on scene, located the vessel, and established communications with the vessel.

At 1522U Pillar Point Harbor Master vessel reports they have VSL OPEN RANGE is in tow and enroute to Pillar Point Harbor.

Sector San Francisco will monitor Pillar Point Harbor Master voyage on AIS back to Pillar Point Harbor.

MISLE: 1337187

v/r

Joseph Ford, GS-12 Lead Command Center Controller, CDO Sector San Francisco Command Center

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