PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is working to rescue 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 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.
