U.S. Coast Guard, Good Samaritans Rescue 3 Mariners 450 Miles off East Coast of Florida

By  //  February 4, 2026

sailing vessel was in distress taking on water 450 miles east of Daytona Beach

A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircrew and motor tanker Radiant Pride’s crew rescued three people, Monday, at approximately 2:20 a.m., from a sailing vessel taking on water, 450 miles east of Daytona Beach. (USCG video image)

MIAMI, FLORIDA – A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircrew and motor tanker Radiant Pride’s crew rescued three people, Monday, at approximately 2:20 a.m., from a sailing vessel taking on water, 450 miles east of Daytona Beach.

The three mariners were brought aboard Radiant Pride in stable condition with no injuries reported.

Coast Guard Southeast District command center watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon alert at approximately 3:20 p.m., Sunday, reporting the distress.

Southeast watchstanders launched the aircrew, which located the vessel at approximately 8:30 p.m., taking on water in 20-foot seas. The HC-130 aircrew issued a distress radio broadcast requesting assistance for any mariners in the area to respond.

“Thanks to the incredible coordination between the Coast Guard and the crew of Radiant Pride, we were able to save the lives of three mariners,” said Lt. j.g. Jordan Shaw, an Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 pilot.

“Due to the distance of the EPIRB activation and the weather conditions at the time, this rescue is a testament to the bravery and professionalism of all who were involved.”

A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircrew works alongside Motor Tanker Radiant Pride’s crew to rescue three mariners aboard a 44-foot sailing vessel taking on water, 450 miles east of Daytona Beach, Feb. 1, 2026. Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders received a notification via emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 3:20 p.m., alerting watchstanders that the 44-foot sailing vessel, VAIO was in distress. (U.S. Coast Guard video courtesy of Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 aircrew)
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