Vessel Capsizes; 7 Rescued, 3 Bodies Found

MarineLink.com February 6, 2014

A capsized vessel is lifted onboard the Royal Netherlands Navy Zeeland 75 miles northeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., Feb. 6, 2014. The crew aboard the Zeeland discovered and rescued seven people and recovered three bodies. (USCG photo)

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) search-and-rescue crews aboard Coast Guard Cutter Etheridge and an HC-130 aircrew are searching for two people 75 miles northeast of West Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Seventh District command center received a report from the Royal Netherlands Navy Zeeland at noon of a capsized 24-foot center console vessel with seven suspected migrants atop of the hull. The Coast Guard Cutter Etheridge and an HC-130 were diverted to the scene.

Upon discovering the vessel, the Royal Netherlands Navy rescued seven people and recovered three bodies from within the hull.

The Royal Netherlands Navy was en route to Key West, Fla., before discovering the overturned vessel.

The Coast Guard Cutter Etheridge is a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter homeported in Miami.

The HC-130 aircrew is stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla.

uscgnews.com