Recognition for disabled vessel rescue

The US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee awarded the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to the crew of a California Yacht Club Mark Set Boat for rescuing a disabled vessel during the 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in Long Beach, CA.

The incident happened following the third and final race of the day when the mark set boat came upon a powerboat in distress along the inlet in Alamitos Bay, California. The powerboat had lost power, and the skipper was unable to restart the engines. Given the sea state and its potential effects on the boat and its seven passengers, it was evident that the vessel was in danger.

The mark set crew – Drew Baldwin, skipper; Christina Tarantola, communications; and Rory Mach, towline – secured a towline and pulled the disabled vessel away from the rocks into safe water. Once safe, the mark set driver called a pan-pan and coordinated a handoff with USCG Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach.

“Often we’re so fixated on the task at hand or rushing to get home that we forget we are part of a community when we are on the water,” said Baldwin. “So please, live up to your responsibility as a member of this community and remember it is our obligation to help one another. Because, even without rescue training and equipment, just by looking out for your fellow boater, you still can help prevent a tragedy, and maybe even save someone’s life.”

The Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal is awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils at sea within the territorial waters of the United States, or as part of a sailboat race or voyage that originated or stopped in the U.S.

The medal was established in 1990 by friends of the late Mr. Hanson, an ocean-racing sailor from the Chesapeake Bay, to recognize significant accomplishments in seamanship and to collect case studies of rescues for analysis by the Safety at Sea Committee of US Sailing for use in educational and training programs.

Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for a Hanson Rescue Medal.