Coast Guard rescues crew and dog from grounded trawler off N.C.

OREGON INLET, N.C. - Coast Guard crews hoisted three people and their dog to safety Saturday morning as conditions worsened for the crew aboard a grounded fishing trawler on the Oregon Inlet Bar.

Friday night the 77-foot Sheila Rene's crew contacted Sector North Carolina watchstanders on VHF channel 16 requesting help after their trawler grounded on the bar. The watchstanders dispatched a Station Oregon Inlet 47-foot rescue boat crew at about 11:30 p.m. to dislodge the Sheila Rene, but were unable to free them.

Conditions worsened for the crew overnight and the Coast Guard deemed it unsafe for them to stay on the grounded trawler. An Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew arrived at approximately 7 a.m., hoisted them off and delivered them to the station.

Coast Guard crews remain on scene and will attempt to free it through high tide at about 8:50 a.m.

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