Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Eptalofos

In a remarkable display of maritime teamwork, the bulk carrier 'Eptalofos' played a pivotal role in the rescue of four crew members from the stricken yacht 'Island Breeze' on November 14, 2012. This dramatic incident unfolded approximately 170 miles east of Virginia Beach, as the 56-foot sailing vessel activated its emergency position indicating radio beacon around 8:15 a.m. The alert was promptly received by the Coast Guard's 5th District Command Center. Thanks to the yacht's registration with the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system, the Coast Guard was able to pinpoint the distressed vessel's location and contact information, confirming that the 'Island Breeze' was indeed in trouble. The Coast Guard quickly initiated a response, broadcasting urgent marine information and dispatching crews aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft alongside an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Meanwhile, the bulk carrier bound for Baltimore, 'Eptalofos', reached the yacht around 10 a.m., successfully confirming its location and establishing communication with the crew, who reported they were incapacitated due to steering failure. As the Hercules aircrew arrived on the scene around 11 a.m., they initiated contact with the yacht's crew, who expressed their urgent need for evacuation. When the Jayhawk helicopter crew arrived shortly thereafter, they executed a swift rescue, hoisting the four individuals from the yacht and transporting them to Air Station Elizabeth City, where they were met by an awaiting ambulance. This incident serves as a testament to the vital importance of crew safety measures and the indispensable role of proactive communication systems in maritime rescue operations. For more details, including a photo of the rescue, visit the Coast Guard report here: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1608255/Coast-Guard-rescues-4-from-sailboat-170-miles-east-of-Virginia-Beach-Va.