PHILADELPHIA – The Coast Guard rescued two people stranded in a sailboat near Lewes, Delaware, at 1 a.m., today.
A boater aboard the 40-foot sailboat Margaritaville notified the Coast Guard via VHF marine band radio, that they ran aground approximately 500-yards off the shore of Lewe.
Both boaters were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
A Coast Guard Station Indian River 47-foot motor life boat crew was launched as well as an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City and local first responders assisted.
Due to the nature of the shallow water, local first responders were unable to assist the boaters.
The Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew arrived on-scene and lowered a rescue swimmer to the boaters to assist them in making their way to shore, where they were met by members of the Lewes Fire Department.
No injuries were reported.
“This is a great example of how wearing a life jacket and having a radio helps boaters, ” said Chief Warrant Officer Jacob Gerasimof. “Wearing PFD’s helped these boaters to safely stay afloat and make it to shore, while the radio allowed them to get help quickly and accurately.”
