November 09, 2015
The U.S. Coast Guard has called off its search for a ship in distress after it was located safely in port in Somers Point, N.J., officials said Monday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia received a mayday from the crew of the 43-foot recreational vessel Interlude at about 12:45 p.m. Sunday. The radio transmission indicated the ship was taking on water as it was headed to port.
Capt. Benjamin Cooper, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, said the Coast Guard responded to the "garbled distress call" with the deployment of various Coast Guard rescue craft, including C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed from North Carolina, a helicopter and several ships.
"Thanks to the media coverage, the public assisted the Coast Guard in locating the Interlude's crew in Somers Point and notified us," Cooper said in a press statement. "Fortunately, the crew and vessel returned safely and further searches were averted. Communications were very difficult in this case. The Coast Guard reminds you that if you make a distress call, it is extremely important to notify the Coast Guard when you return safely to shore."
There were no injuries reported related to this incident, officials said.
