According to a United States Coast Guard representative, “Crews from across two districts worked together to assist three mariners aboard a disabled fishing vessel about 95 miles west of Newport, Oregon, this week.”

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alder, an Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew, an Air Station North Bend MH-65 Dolphin aircrew, and a Station Yaquina Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB) crew responded to the Defiant, a 97-foot fishing vessel, after it reported at 6:42 a.m. Sunday that it was disabled, adrift and in need of assistance.

Observers at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and Coast Guard Northwest District coordinated with Coast Guard Pacific Area to launch the two aircrews. The air crews delivered much needed fresh drinking water, a radio, and a dewatering pump to the vessel at 6:40 p.m. Sunday.

Because of the distance offshore, Coast Guard Southwest District observers directed the Alder to tow the Defiant toward shore. The cutter arrived at 11:07 a.m. Tuesday, established a tow, and brought the vessel roughly 80 miles closer to land. At 10:56 a.m. Wednesday, about 15 miles from Newport, the tow was transferred to the Station Yaquina Bay MLB crew, which brought the Defiant safely into port.

“This mission showcased the Coast Guard’s ability to bring together crews, cutters, and aircraft from multiple commands to help mariners in need,” said Lt. Cmdr. Tahnee Zaccano, a search and rescue mission coordinator at the Northwest District command center. “It’s a testament to the teamwork, skill, and dedication of our Coast Guardsmen.”