5th District Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
News Release
Coast Guard rescues five from sinking sailboat off N.C.
ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C.- Coast Guard crews rescued five people Saturday night from their sinking 47-foot sailboat about 32 miles south of Cape Lookout, N.C.
The sailboat crew called Sector North Carolina watchstanders at 7:35 p.m. to report their boat was taking on water. The watchstanders launched an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City and a 47-foot rescue boat crew from Station Fort Macon.
By the time the helicopter arrived on scene the sailboat was mostly full of water and only a foot or two remained above water. They were able to hoist one person at 8:54 p.m., but the others requested not to be hoisted. The other four were directed to launch their life raft and wait for the rescue boat crew. The rescue boat crew arrived on scene at 10:23 p.m. and transported the others safely back to the station.
File Photos: Click thumbnails for higher-quality versions
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47-foot Rescue Boat |
MH-60 and 47-foot Rescue Boat |
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