Anglers at the Port Aransas jetty could get a surprise this morning.
The captain of the grounded boat contacted Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders with a VHF radio at 4:55 a.m., stating that his 38-foot boat, the Barracuda, was aground on the Port Aransas south jetty with six people aboard.
The watchstanders launched a rescue crew aboard a Station Port Aransas 45-foot Response Boat, Medium.
The rescue crew located the grounded boat and picked up the six passengers at 5:21a.m, and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services.
“The pleasure craft Barracuda remains aground on the south jetty rocks,” said Petty Officer 3rd class Ben Scudder, a member of the RBM rescue crew. “Emergency medical services have assessed all the individuals that were on the boat, and they are ok.”
The Port Aransas Police Department and commercial salvage are assessing the situation and making plans for the vessel’s salvage. Coast Guard pollution responders have also been dispatched to respond to any potential fuel spill.
The Coast Guard stresses that having a VHF marine band radio can be invaluable during emergency situations, and its proper use to relay information during the emergency will better help the Coast Guard to respond to the situation at hand.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
