Coast Guard Recognizes Mariners Who Rescued Three from Capsized Boat

The U.S. Coast Guard presented awards to mariners who rescued three men who were adrift in the ocean in May 2013, during a ceremony in San Diego on last week.

Crewmembers and passengers aboard the charter vessel New Seaforth who were underway for a fishing excursion rescued a father and his two adult sons after their boat capsized, leaving them drifting in the waters off La Jolla for three hours.

All three men were hypothermic when they were rescued, and one required 45 minutes of CPR before he regained consciousness.

Derek Southern, a crewman who jumped into the ocean to help save two lives will receive the Certificate of Valor. Raymond Hudson and Brian Castleton, captain and crewman of the New Seaforth who assisted in rescuing the three survivors will receive Meritorious Public Service Awards.

Five passengers who assisted in providing first aid and CPR to the survivors will also be receiving Meritorious Public Service Awards during separate ceremonies at a later date.

“Without the decisive actions of the men and women aboard the New Seaforth, this story would have had a very tragic ending,” said Capt. Sean Mahoney, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “This is a perfect example of mariners looking out for each other, and we applaud the lifesaving actions they took to rescue these men.”

The award presentation was held at Hubbs Auditorium-SeaWorld Research Institute.

—U.S. Coast Guard