Related Article: Cape May City Firefighters Rescue Couple From Grounded Sailboat
CAPE MAY CITY– The Coast Guard public affairs office responded to allegations today (Friday, April 16) by former city Mayor Bob Elwell that a radio distress call made by a 35-foot sailboat the Wildcat on April 14, went unnoticed by the Coast Guard.
Elwell who is also a West Cape May volunteer firefighter told the Press of Atlantic City his police scanner picked up the Mayday. “I can’t figure out how I heard it on my little scanner and the Coast Guard didn’t hear it. I have a scanner with a little antenna. They have a big tower and a 500-watt receiver,” Elwell said.
Petty Officer Christopher McLaughlin said in a phone interview with the Herald, the Coast Guard did receive the radio call at 10:47 p.m., via the Rescue 21 system on VHF Channel 16 from a crew member aboard the Wildcat reporting they had two people aboard and were aground 100 yards from Cape May Point.
The Coast Guard launched a rescue boat crew at 10:54 p.m. from Coast Guard Station Cape May, he said and also diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Tigershark to the scene.
The Cape May City fire department also requested the Coast Guard to respond shortly before 11:30 p.m., as part of their water rescue plan.
McLaughlin said after they were notified that the local fire department was on scene and both people aboard the Wildcat had been safely rescued, they recalled all responding Coast Guard units.
McLaughlin confirmed one of the Coast Guard units continued to the scene and were on standby while Towboat USA was en-route.
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