Coast Guard Foundation To Recognize Rescue Crews

Helicopter crews who rescued occupants of a sinking catamaran will be honored in a special ceremony held in Houston.

The US Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, has announced that it will honor the heroism and dedication of two Air Station Houston helicopter crews who rescued seven occupants of a catamaran that was sinking in the Gulf of Mexico.

In a tribute to be held in Houston on May 13 at The Houstonian Hotel, the Coast Guard Foundation will present an award to two helicopter crews for saving at least one life, assisting six others and preserving over $80,000 worth of property in the July, 2015 rescue off the Louisiana coast. When the call for help came in a four-man helicopter crew, lead by LCDR Jeremy Loeb and already airborne for a training mission, was dispatched to locate the stricken vessel off the coast of Cameron, Louisiana. Loeb and his crew courageously maneuvered their helicopter around multiple thunderstorms in high winds and driving rain. Despite the difficult and dangerous conditions, the crew located the vessel 40 miles from shore and immediately established communications with the captain.

Running low on fuel, the CG-6603 crew passed their position to a second helicopter with LT Michael Kimball and his crew aboard. In spite of the catamaran pitching violently and altering course as much as 90 degrees in the escalating sea state, the crew was able to successfully complete the rescue.