Coast Guard airlifts 3 from aground sailboat

PAMLICO SOUND, N.C. — Crewmembers aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, hoisted three people from the water after their sailboat ran aground near Rawls Island, Jan. 21, 2011. The aircrew transported the three survivors to the Air Station where they were met by awaiting medical personnel. U.S. Coast Guard video.

Click on the above screenshot to view and download the video from the Coast Guard's Visual Information site.

PAMLICO SOUND, N.C. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted three people from the water after their sailboat ran aground near Rawls Island, Saturday.

Members aboard the Honey Badger, a 26-foot sailboat, made a mayday call via VHF-FM channel 16, notifying Coast Guard watchstanders that their boat was on a shoal near Rawls Island.

Watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet along with an aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.

The MLB and Jayhawk crews arrived on scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. The MLB crew was unable to reach the sailboat due to shallow water.

The Jayhawk crew then hoisted the three people aboard the aircraft and transported them to Air Station Elizabeth City where they were met by awaiting medical personnel.

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