
A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued three people from a capsized 39-foot vessel near Kiawah Island, South Carolina, May 26, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Savannah)
CHARLESTON, S.C.— A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin aircrew rescued three people, Friday, after their 39-foot vessel capsized near Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
The Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aircrew hoisted the three people and transferred them to a Kiawah Island Beach Patrol with no medical concerns.
A crewmember aboard the vessel notified Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders at 10 a.m., Friday, via cellphone, that their boat was taking on water.
Sector Charleston watchstanders issued a urgent marine information broadcast to all mariners in the area for assistance and launched a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aircrew to assist.
“Although the crew of this motor vessel was having a bad day, their promptness in putting on their safety gear gave us a chance to get to them in time,” said Lt. Cmdr Sam Ingham, Coast Guard Air Station Savannah mission commander. “When I saw that they all had life jackets on, I felt immediate relief, and it gave us more flexibility to pick them up safely and quickly.”
Sector Charleston watchstanders issued a safety marine information broadcast on VHF-FM Channel 16 to notify mariners of the sunken vessel.
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