An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 3, 2012

Coast Guard Cutter, Air Guard members rescue three injured persons from racing yacht

By Coast Guard Courtesy report

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, along with Air National Guard members from the 129th Rescue Wing rescued and assisted three injured persons aboard a 67-foot racing yacht hundreds of miles west of San Francisco, April 1.

The Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center in Alameda diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf to assist the injured sailors. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, from Air Station San Diego, was sent to and landed aboard the Bertholf as it continued to steam toward the Clipper Venture 6.

Once in range, plans called for the helicopter to fly to the yacht and lower a rescue swimmer to assess the injured boaters. At that time, the rescue crew will determine the further needs of the injured persons.

The case began at about 9:45 a.m. March 31, when the Coast Guard RCC received a request for assistance from a rescue center in the United Kingdom. The U.K. rescue center reported that there was a 67-foot yacht with 13 persons aboard, three of which were injured. A large wave crashed on top of the yacht causing a steering failure and the injuries.

Early Saturday evening an attempt to provide assistance to the injured boaters was thwarted because of weather concerns.

A long-range Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules search and rescue aircraft from Air Station Sacramento flew to the scene after picking up a parajumper rescue team from the Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing. The rescue team reached the yacht at approximately 7 p.m. and dropped medical supplies to the vessel but the Air National Guard members were unable to jump because of the weather. The plane returned the parajumpers to their base at Moffett Field.

The injured are aboard a 67-foot sailing vessel named the Clipper Venture 6 which is part of a 10 vessel around-the-world race that started in the United Kingdom. The current leg of the race had the Clipper Venture 6 en route to San Francisco from Qingdao, China. The next leg of the race calls for the boats to head to New York City via the Panama Canal.

The cutter Bertholf, homeported in Alameda, is the first of the service's new fleet of National Security Cutters. The ship's long range and flight deck, capable of supporting MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, are key factors in the ongoing rescue effort.

 

 

Related Articles
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Searcy, the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard, addresses attendees of a warrant officer caucus session during the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) conference in Milwaukee, August 24, 2025. The 147th NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition – which is held annually to connect delegates from all 54 states and territories to discuss the future of the National Guard – took place August 21-25 and featured various events and social gatherings throughout Milwaukee to showcase Wisconsin’s rich history and heritage.
Searcy Leaves Legacy of Advocacy for Warrant Officers in Army Guard
By Lt. Col. Carla Raisler, | Aug. 28, 2025
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Searcy, the eighth command chief warrant officer of the Army National Guard, will retire later this year after more than three decades of service.Searcy marked the occasion this...

The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...