In a dramatic rescue operation, the Coast Guard successfully saved two divers who went missing 15 miles offshore from Matagorda last Thursday.
The search began after Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a notification on Wednesday afternoon that the divers were last seen surfacing in unfavorable weather conditions and had not been spotted after the weather cleared.
The Coast Guard swiftly launched an extensive search operation, deploying aircrews from Air Station Corpus Christi, including an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, along with a Station Port O’Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson was also directed to assist in the search efforts.
The breakthrough came when the Ocean Sentry aircraft aircrew spotted a flashing light in the water. They quickly vectored in the divers’ location to the cutter. The divers were then transported to Coast Guard Station Freeport, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The search covered approximately 1,656 square miles over a period of 36 hours, involving multiple Coast Guard units:
– Coast Guard Cutter Edgar Culbertson crew
– Air Station Corpus Christi HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft aircrew
– Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew
– Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews
– Station Port O’Connor 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew