Twenty-eight people were rescued after a fishing vessel sustained fire, about 46 miles southwest of Serranilla Bank, Colombia, on Thursday late night. The 774-foot tanker ‘Challenge Pollux’ rescued the 28 people from the water in a joint effort with the US Coast Guard and Colombian Navy, on Friday.
At 11:33 p.m. Thursday, USCG Seventh District Miami, watch standers received a report from the Jamaican Defence Force stating a 131-foot fishing boat was on fire and needed emergency assistance.
Watch standers issued an enhanced group calling (EGC) message and launched an Air Station Clearwater, Florida, HC-130 Hercules air plane crew. The Hercules crew located the fishing boat on fire.
The crew aboard the Challenge Pollux responded to the EGC and rescued all 28 people. A Colombian Navy ship arrived on scene, embarked the 28 people and transported them to shore. Some injuries were reported.
