TWO adults and an eight-year-old were rescued on Monday after their sailing vessel became partially submerged near Plana Cays.

In a press release, the US Coast Guard said an Air Station Clearwater aircrew rescued the family, and no injuries were reported.

A Good Samaritan called Coast Guard Seventh District watchstanders around midnight, reporting the family in distress. The vessel’s owner is coordinating its recovery with a commercial salvage company.

The helicopter crew, deployed to Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) from Air Station Clearwater, located the family aboard a life raft in two to three foot seas and winds of five to seven knots around 7am. The family was safely hoisted and transported to Bahamian authorities in Great Inagua.

“Our aircrews train very hard for moments like this, and we are thankful to have played a role in the safe rescue of this family of three,” said Lt Andrew Boyle, a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater Jayhawk aircraft commander.

“We urge mariners to carry a radio and an emergency distress beacon in case they find themselves in a similar situation. It could help save their lives.”

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Operations Command Centre helped in coordinating the rescue.

“After receiving a call from a Good Samaritan regarding a distressed vessel, the RBDF reached out to nearby islands and vessels for assistance but received negative results,” said Lieutenant Darius Adams, Commander Defence Force’s Aide de Camp and Public Relations Officer.

“Simultaneously, the RBDF deployed its nearest asset and contacted OPBAT, which was able to deploy a helicopter and conduct the rescue in a timely manner. The RBDF monitored the situation until all appeared to be in good order.”