PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday aboard a disabled sailboat approximately 30 miles southeast of Bald Head Island, N.C.
Trevor Miller of the 63-foot sailboat Emmanuel contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center watchstanders at approximately 9:15 p.m. Thursday, requesting assistance due to the sailboat losing power.
Sector watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C., to assist.
The Coast Guard rescued five people Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, aboard a disabled sailboat approximately 30 miles southeast of Bald Head Island, N.C. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Wililiams
The MLB crew arrived on scene with the Emmanuel at approximately 5:45 a.m. Friday and placed the sailboat in tow. Due to the 14-foot sea state and winds in excess of 30 knots, the MLB crew was only able to tow the sailboat at a speed of two knots.
A second MLB crew from Station Oak Island got underway at approximately 8 a.m. to relieve the first crew from their tow. The second MLB took over the tow at approximately 11:30 a.m. approximately 25 miles east of Carolina Beach, N.C.
The second MLB crew towed the Emmanuel into the Masonboro Inlet, where a Tow Boat U.S. crew took over the tow and moored the sailboat at Seapath Marina in Wrightsville Beach at approximately 4 p.m.
There are no reports of injuries.
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