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HOUSTON — The Coast Guard assisted six people Sunday aboard a disabled vessel 10 miles offshore Galveston, Texas.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders received a 911 relay from the Galveston Police Department at 11:54 a.m. from a boater stating their 23-foot center console was disabled approximately 10 miles southwest of the Galveston jetties. 

Due to a language barrier and the potential for distress, watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew to assist. 

The boat crew rendezvoused with the center console, placed the vessel in tow and safely transported the vessel and passengers to the Galveston Yacht Basin.

“It is extremely important that all boaters have a working radio on board their vessel and understand how to use it,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ian Murray, search and rescue mission coordinator, Sector Houston-Galveston. “These mariners were lucky they were in cell phone range and could call 911 to activate the Coast Guard’s search and rescue system. The farther offshore you go, the less reliable your cell phone becomes.”

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