COAST GUARD RESCUES 2 CLINGING TO COOLER

November 15, 2004

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Two men were plucked from the water by a rescue helicopter yesterday after an hour and a half in the 53 degree water of Breakwater Harbor near Cape Henelopen, Del.

Coast Guard Station Indian River Inlet in Delaware received a cell-phone call for help via 911 from the two men on the sinking 18-foot wellcraft around 10:40 a.m.

The station immediately launched a rescue boat while the flight crew of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City prepared to assist. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) was also relayed on Ch. 16 to alert other boaters to be on the lookout for the two in trouble.

Once the Coast Guard crews were onscene, they searched the waters of the Delaware Bay looking for a needle in the haystack with help from the Lewes Fire Department, Delaware Pilots and a State Police helicopter. Shortly thereafter, a good Samaritan reported seeing two people clinging to a cooler.

The Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat immediately diverted to the reported area where they found the two survivors.

The rescue swimmer onboard the Coast Guard helicopter free-fell into the water to assist the two men into a rescue basket. Once onboard the helicopter, the two men were transported to Beebe Medical Center for further medical care.

The Station Indian River rescue boat was able to flip the wellcraft right side up and tow the boat to the station.

COAST GUARD RESCUES 2 CLINGING TO COOLER

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Two men were plucked from the water by a rescue helicopter yesterday after an hour and a half in the 53 degree water of Breakwater Harbor near Cape Henelopen, Del.

Coast Guard Station Indian River Inlet in Delaware received a cell-phone call for help via 911 from the two men on the sinking 18-foot wellcraft around 10:40 a.m.

The Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat immediately diverted to the reported area where they found the two survivors.

The Station Indian River rescue boat was able to flip the wellcraft right side up and tow the boat to the station.

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