My friend, our two sons, and I set out on an overnight fishing trip approximately 90 miles offshore in the Gulf of America. We were having a great trip until the boat’s shift actuator became inoperable.

It was a Monday, and there were no other boats nearby that far offshore. We were in about 220 feet of water, but we did not have enough anchor rope to reach the bottom. The current continued pushing us farther out, and our emergency radio calls were answered only by static.

With no reliable way to communicate or control the boat, we deployed our ResQLink PLB-400. We also used the trolling motor to move toward shallower water, eventually reaching an area that was approximately 150 feet deep.

About an hour and a half after activating the beacon, an unmarked plane flew overhead. We fired a flare to help confirm our location. Shortly afterward, we received a radio call from the United States Coast Guard saying, “We have your position, and we’re five minutes out.”

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter soon arrived and began circling our position. The Coast Guard remained in constant communication with us while researching the safest rescue options. They also contacted my wife, who was listed as my emergency contact when I registered the PLB-400, and informed her about the situation.

Fortunately, another boat approximately five miles away saw the Jayhawk circling and offered to give us a ride back to shore. We anchored our boat and safely retrieved it the following day.

A special thank you to the United States Coast Guard and everyone involved in helping bring us home safely.

USCG Case Number: 1435674
Location: N 27 42.977, W 084 09.576