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HOUSTON — The Coast Guard rescued five people from their overturned vessel 20 miles offshore Matagorda, Texas, Thursday.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Gavleston watchstanders received a report from a Matagorda County Sheriff’s office dispatcher at 8:53 p.m. stating a vessel was taking on water with five people aboard.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, diverted an already-airborne HC-144 Ocean Sentry air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi and directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Houston to respond. Additionally, a Coast Guard Station Freeport Response Boat–Medium crew was launched to respond.

The HC-144 crew located the vessel and vectored in the helicopter crew who then deployed a rescue swimmer to assess the boaters' situation. Once on scene, the RB–M crew with the help of the rescue swimmer, embarked the boaters and safely brought them to Station Freeport.

There were no reported injuries.

"Thanks to the amazing cooperation and coordination between our Coast Guard units, we were able to swiftly come to the aid of the five stranded boaters whose cell phones failed them in their time of need," said Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Beasley. "This incident underscores the critical role of VHF radios communication in maritime safety, proving that reliable communication can make all the difference in ensuring a swift and successful rescue."