The Coast Guard assisted a family Friday by transferring them off a disabled boat approximately 500 yards off shore from Sherwood Forest. Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received notification from boaters aboard their 36-foot sailing vessel who requested assistance for their 18-month-old boy, who was having difficulty breathing and had become inconsolable.
“We overheard the call at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Channel 16,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brannon Woodruff, the coxswain during the response. “Sector then asked us to launch and assist.”
The sailboat had lost power and was anchored when the Coast Guard was asked to assist.
“The family was in Brewer Creek on the Severn River,” said Woodruff. “We arrived on scene at approximately 11 o’clock, and the child was asleep. We conducted a medical evaluation and spoke to the flight surgeon.”
Concerned the child might wake up and still be in distress, Woodruff made the recommendation to transfer the child and his parents to shore to awaiting EMS.
“Once we brought him aboard he woke up and once again became hard to console,” said Woodruff. “When boaters are prepared and not only have the proper safety equipment, but know how to use it, our response time is that much quicker. The best way to contact the Coast Guard is to use the VHF-FM distress channel 16.”
