CHARLESTON, S.C. – A Coast Guard boat crew rescued two people from their sinking vessel after the pair hit the south jetty of the Charleston Harbor entrance jetties today at about 6:30 p.m.
Hugh Andrews, 56, of Melbourne, Fla., was traveling from Beaufort, S.C., with a female companion when his 44-foot recreational vessel named Sure Fire struck the jetty. The vessel began to take on water, and the pair contacted the Coast Guard on their VHF marine radio via channel 16.
Rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston launched a rescue boat from Station Charleston and a rescue helicopter from Air Facility Charleston to assist the couple.
The rescue boat arrived at the Sure Fire’s position first and began to take the two off the foundering vessel. Neither of the two boaters suffered any injuries. After the two were found to be in good condition, the helicopter returned to base.
The two were brought back to Sector Charleston and are arranging for commercial salvage for their vessel.
The Coast Guard always recommends that boaters have a working VHF marine radio any time they leave the pier. Cell phones are unreliable and can become inoperable in a marine environment.
