SEATTLE — Coast Guard personnel rescued two men from a boat taking on water near Iceberg Island, Washington, Wednesday afternoon.
A Coast Guard Station Bellingham boatcrew, aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, safely removed the two men from the 40-foot vessel and transported them to Anacortes while there vessel was towed to Port Townsend by Vessel Assist.
The Coast Guard was notified by a good Samaritan vessel via VHF-FM channel 16 at 10:20 a.m., and the case was completed at about 2 p.m. Deputies from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office and Customs and Border Protection officers also responded to assist.
"We remind boaters to practice safe boating habits especially with warmer weather and increased boaters on the water," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Cory Hoyt, officer of the day at Station Bellingham. "National Safe Boating Week is next week, which provides a great opportunity to access boating safety education and get your free vessel safety exam. We also remind boaters to look out for one another and report any possible emergency situations like today's good Samaritan boater."
The cause of the vessel taking on water is unknown at this time.