RACCOON KEY, S.C. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted two boaters Tuesday 11 miles southeast of Raccoon Key, from a capsized vessel.
The boaters, a man and a woman, were reported to be in good condition with no medical concerns.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center were notified of the distress situation by VHF channel 16 at 4 p.m. The boaters stated their 17-foot pleasure craft became swamped with water after their anchor line became caught in their boat's propellers, pulling one end of the vessel underwater. The command center issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify other boaters in the area of the situation.
A crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston, S.C., was launched at 4:29 p.m. A U.S. Navy helicopter crew in the area responded to the UMIB and proceeded to the emergency to render assistance. The Dolphin crew arrived on scene at 4:36 p.m., located the boaters. The helicopter crew hoisted the boaters and were evaluated their conditions. They were taken to Mount Pleasant airport and reunited with family.
Accidents at sea can happen at any time. Wearing life jackets, having a VHF radio, and remaining with an overturned vessel are key factors from this case that led to a successful rescue.
For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.