Black Pearl I Yacht Crew Rescued by Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued yacht crew on board M/Y Black Pearl I after the crew relayed that they were taking on water and experiencing steering issues.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam team received an Inmarsat C distress alert from the 11-person yacht crew on board M/Y Black Pearl I at 3:37 p.m. on July 20. The crewmembers reported a locked rudder and flooding in the bilge on board Black Pearl I, which was 200 nautical miles west of Palau. The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140), a 154-foot Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter, immediately began heading to the AIS position received from JRSC Guam, arriving by 6:12 a.m. on July 21.

The Oliver Henry crew noted the vessel was taking on water and it had steering issues, including a locked rudder at 10 degrees. At 6:53 a.m. the Oliver Henry crew placed a rescue and assistance team on board Black Pearl I to help with dewatering and assess damage control needs. The Oliver Henry crew are now towing Black Pearl I to Palau with an estimated time of arrival of 33 hours. The weather on the scene is reported as 25 mph winds and 4 to 6-foot seas.

JRSC Guam identified and requested assistance from a U.S.-flagged general cargo vessel SLNC York through the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program before Oliver Henry could arrive at Black Pearl I. The cargo vessel was 135 miles away from the motor yacht, arriving on the scene at 12:30 a.m. on July 21. They made first contact with the yacht crew on board Black Pearl I and relayed to Oliver Henry that the vessel had a steering issue but was not requesting assistance, as the crew attempted repairs. All crew on board were in good health and the vessel had power.

“Our primary concern is the safety of everyone aboard the Black Pearl I. The swift response and ongoing efforts by the crew of USCGC Oliver Henry exemplify our commitment to safeguarding lives at sea. We will continue to provide all necessary support to ensure the vessel and its crew reach safety,” said Lieutenant Chelsea Garcia, the U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue mission coordinator for the case.

M/Y Black Pearl I is a 154-foot, 497-ton, Belize-flagged motor yacht designed for dive excursions. Black Pearl I was built by Guangdong Minhua and delivered in 2019. The vessel was reportedly heading to Cebu, Philippines, for maintenance.

“Search and rescue is the Coast Guard’s no-fail mission, and our commitment to this responsibility is unwavering. Fast response cutters, like the USCGC Oliver Henry, are crucial in our ability to respond effectively to emergencies across this vast region,” said Capt. Robert Kistner, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia. “The AMVER system is another critical tool in our mission. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, AMVER is a global ship-reporting system that allows us to identify and divert participating ships to assist those in distress at sea without imposing additional obligations beyond international law. In an emergency like this, we are all partners.”

All times are in Chamorro Standard Time (ChST).

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryder Nolan and Ensign Mikasa Lierman.