Star-Advance

The Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System vessel "Moscow Sea" on Apr 14 was diverted to the sailing vessel "UBU 7" with an ETA of 5 p.m. The sailing vessel is reported to have a personal locating beacon, life jackets, flares and a life raft aboard. Weather on scene was reported to have 40-knot winds and 12-foot seas. Also a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J rescue plane was being diverted from its "Titanic" commemoration flight to aid the sinking French vessel approximately 1,300 miles east of Boston. The rescue plane crew, from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., was in St. Johns, Newfoundland, in preparations for a ceremony to drop five wreaths over the "Titanic" resting site. First Coast Guard District Command Center watchstanders, based out of Boston, were notified at 7:30 a.m. by Rescue Coordination Center Gris Nez, in the Normandy, that the 40-foot sailing vessel UBU 7's rudder was leaking, but the boat was still buoyant. There were three persons aboard. The rescue plane crew was preparing to air-drop supplies including a pump and hand-held radio to maintain communications. Their estimated arrival time was approximately 1 p.m.