Bermuda-Bound Sailors Rescued by Coast Guard
A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two Bermuda-bound people today [Nov 26] after their sailboat began taking on water off the coast of North Carolina.
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a radio message at approximately 6:52 a.m. today from crewmembers of the 45-foot sailboat Celedon saying that the vessel was flooding.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City was diverted to the scene, and a nearby commercial tanker ship, the Atlantic Leo, responded after hearing an urgent marine information broadcast issued by the Coast Guard.
The helicopter arrived on-scene at 7:37 a.m. The sailboat had taken on 3 inches of water, and its crewmen were unable to determine the source of the flooding. They were then airlifted from the sailboat by the helicopter’s crew.
Weather conditions on scene included winds gusting to 40 knots per hour and 12-foot seas. Neither man received any injuries, and they returned with the helicopter crew to Air Station Elizabeth City. Petty Officer John Miller told U.S. media the men were headed to Bermuda.
