Coast Guard makes daring rescue off Texas
The US Coast Guard rescued eight boaters whose vessel began taking on water 40 miles off Galveston, Texas. CREDIT: United States Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search over the weekend for a missing member of the military branch, the service said Monday.
The missing crew member was identified as Seaman Bryan K. Lee, 23, from Rancho Cordova, California, who was reported unaccounted for Tuesday morning while the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) was operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Lee was discovered missing at 6:45 a.m. while the ship was conducting a routine counter-drug patrol approximately 300 nautical miles south of Mexico. It immediately deviated from its patrol and initiated a comprehensive search effort.
The Waesche and other personnel searched for Lee for nearly 190 hours, covering more than 19,000 square nautical miles, the Coast Guard said.
"Our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Seaman Lee," said Cmdr. David Stern, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard District Eleven. "Considering all pertinent factors and available information, we made the difficult decision to suspend the search. This case has been extraordinarily challenging, and the decision to suspend the search pending new information is not an easy choice. We’re thankful for the support from our units and partners who searched a significant region of the Pacific Ocean."
COAST GUARD INTERCEPTS BOAT CARRYING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS AS EXPULSION FLIGHT OPERATIONS BEGIN
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) conduct a towing evolution on December 7, 2024. Waesche makes its approach to pass the tow line over to Forrest Rednour to initiate the tow. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by ET2 Thomas Gaeckle)
The CGC Waesche, attached helicopter and small unmanned aircraft systems were conducting search patterns in the area, LCDR Jeannie Shaye, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, said last week.
Shaye said additional Coast Guard and interagency search assets had been employed in the effort.
This story was first reported by U.S. Naval Institute News.
Captain Tyson Scofield, Commanding Officer of USCGC Waesche, pays tribute to Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis 'Obie' Obendorf, a Boatswain’s Mate who served on Waesche in 2013. BM3 Obendorf’s memorial ceremony set aside time for the crew to remember and celebrate the beloved crew member who sacrificed his life serving others. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by LTJG Julia VanLuven)
Coast Guard officials said the specific locations of the search efforts couldn't be disclosed due to operational security considerations.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) conduct a towing and Astern Fueling At Sea (AFAS) evolution on December 7, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by LTJG Julia VanLuven)
The Waesche, a legend-class national security cutter commissioned in 2010, is homeported in Alameda, California, according to the Coast Guard's website.
National security cutters are designed to support global operations and missions, and can hold a crew of up to 170, according to the branch.
Crew members assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) in the memorial cordon salute their fallen shipmate, Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis 'Obie' Obendorf, a Boatswain’s Mate who served on Waesche in 2013. BM3 Obendorf’s memorial ceremony set aside time for the crew to remember and celebrate the beloved crew member who sacrificed his life serving others. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by LTJG Julia VanLuven)
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Posts on the vessel's Facebook page show the crew was partaking in a number of military and holiday-related activities.
The ship is 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, has a top speed in excess of 28 knots and a range of 12,000 nautical miles, according to the Coast Guard.
