VP-45 Crew Locates Missing Mariner in Pacific
By MCSN Thomas Higgins, VP-45 Public Affairs
| Jan. 17, 2020
GUAM - A stranded fisherman signals to a P8A Poseidon aircraft conducting a Search and Rescue (SAR) of the coast of Guam. (Photo by U.S. Navy)
Patrol Squadron 45 Sailors conduct a Search and Rescue (SAR) of the coast of Guam, dropping a search and rescue kit to a stranded fisherman. (Photo by U.S. Navy)
GUAM - A stranded fisherman waves to a P8A Poseidon aircraft conducting a Search and Rescue (SAR) of the coast of Guam. (Photo by U.S. Navy)
Official U.S. Navy file photo of a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 45. (Photo by VP-45)
PACIFIC OCEAN- The crew of a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 located a missing mariner and his vessel during a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation Jan 17.
The crew of the P-8A located the vessel approximately 50 nautical miles from last known location, Jan 13. The crew deployed a search and rescue kit to the stranded mariner and reported the location to the U.S. Coast Guard to coordinate recovery.
The P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 was dispatched to aid in a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation about 600 miles off the coast of Guam, Jan 17.
A sixteen-foot skiff was reported missing around 1100 Zulu time, Jan 13.
Only one passenger is believed to have been on board the vessel. Guam's U.S.
Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center responded but has since requested the assistance of VP-45's fixed wing Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.
VP-45, based out of Jacksonville, Florida, is operating out of Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. The squadron is conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theatre outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.