Glenda-Meryl

The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of three sailors aboard the sinking 42-ft-yacht "Even Star" approximately 50 miles south of Balboa, Panama, at approximately 5:23 p.m. on Mar 30, 2014. Watchstanders from the 11th Coast Guard District rescue coordination center in Alameda, Calif., were notified at approximately 4:15 a.m. of a distress signal from a U.S.-registered 406 MHz EPIRB that was traced to the yacht. Search planners contacted the family of the owner who said the vessel had three U.S. citizens aboard and were on a voyage from California to Panama. The Coast Guard used the AMVER system and issued a safety alert requesting vessels in the area to assist. The "Glenda Meryl" registiered in the AMVER system, was approximately 30 miles away and responded. The tanker which was coming from San Vincente arrived on scene at 5:23 p.m. and safely rescued the three sailors. The sailboat had been taking on water since Mar 29, which had become unmanageable even with onboard pumps. The three sailors arrived in Balboa on board the "Glenda Meryl" on Mar 31. A ham radio operator with the Panama Air force also assisted with communications and coordination of the rescue.