CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources responded to and rescued three boaters Saturday from a sinking catamaran a half-mile off the coast of Folly Beach, S.C.
The Coast Guard was notified at approximately 3:23 p.m. that an 18-foot catamaran with three people aboard were taking on water and that the boat was partially submerged off the coast of Folly Beach. A Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew, a 25-foot rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Charleston and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources all responded.
Coast Guard Station Charleston crewmembers removed the three boaters from the sinking catamaran and transported them to the Folly Beach Boat Landing. No injuries were reported.
With the boating season now upon us, the Coast Guard reminds all boaters that in the event of a maritime emergency, the use of a float plan, VHF channel 16, life jackets and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon are critical on the waterways.
