A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew successfully rescued a man and his dog from a distressed 36-foot sailing vessel 25 miles off Sanibel Island, Florida.
The vessel, which was taking on water and had become disabled, prompted the emergency response from the Coast Guard.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Hudson, an aviation survival technician from Air Station Clearwater, hoisted the man and his dog to safety in September last year. Both were reported to be in good health following the rescue operation, which has now had the footage released once again after being edited by the U.S. Coast Guard.
A @USCG Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew rescued a man and dog from a disabled and taking-on-water 36-foot sailing vessel 25 miles off Sanibel Island, Florida, late last year. pic.twitter.com/CSXNPYvViI
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) January 1, 2025
They were subsequently transported to Southwest Florida International Airport, where they were met by EMS personnel for further assistance.
The quick and coordinated effort by the Coast Guard ensured the safety of both the man and his dog, demonstrating the vital role of the U.S. Coast Guard in responding to emergencies and, of course, ensuring that good boys are okay.
United States Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater is the United States Coast Guard’s largest air station. It is located at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Clearwater, Florida and is home to nearly 700 USCG aviation and support personnel.
As of March, there are ten MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters and four HC-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to CGAS Clearwater.
The helicopter
The Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness, and marine environmental protection missions. It was originally designated HH-60J before being upgraded and redesignated in 2007.
Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the MH-60T is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the United States Navy’s SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. Development began in September 1986, with the first flight achieved on August 8, 1989. The first HH-60J entered USCG service in June 1990. Production ended in 1996 after 42 helicopters were produced, and six retired SH-60F Seahawks were remanufactured to MH-60T specifications beginning in 2010.
In 2017, the USCG established a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to extend the service life of its current MH-60T fleet by rebuilding the aircraft with replacement hulls sourced from newly manufactured units from Lockheed Martin or conversion of retired US Navy aircraft. In 2023, the USCG obtained approval to acquire 12 additional MH-60Ts to replace some MH-65 aircraft. The USCG plans to eventually transition to an all MH-60T fleet.
Barking mad in those seas. Well done USCG..