Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized boat near Shallotte
NCPORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued two people from the Shallotte Inlet Sunday after their flat-bottomed skiff capsized near Shallotte, N.C.
A good Samaritan contacted Coast Guard Station Oak Island watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at 12:15 p.m. reporting a capsized boat with two people in the water wearing life jackets.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched Holden Beach and Tri Beach water rescue and diverted a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C., to assist.
"It was definitely a good thing that we were already on patrol in the area where the boat capsized," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Leonard Posluszny, the coxswain aboard the RB-S from Station Oak Island. "We found the two people clinging onto the overturned vessel. Once we got them onto the boat, we brought them inside, closed all the windows and turned the heat on to warm the people who were showing signs of hypothermia."
The RB-S crew arrived on scene and retrieved the two people from the water and took them to the Inlet View restaurant where they were met by an awaiting ambulance crew and treated for hypothermia.
"The fact these boaters were wearing life jackets helped save their lives today," said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina commander. "However, boaters need to be extra vigilant this time of year as air and water temperatures have dropped dramatically. Hypothermia can set in very quickly so boaters need to prepare appropriately for the cold weather."
Sea Tow salvaged the boat.
Coast Guard rescues 2 from capsized boat near Shallotte
NCPORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued two people from the Shallotte Inlet Sunday after their flat-bottomed skiff capsized near Shallotte, N.C.
A good Samaritan contacted Coast Guard Station Oak Island watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at 12:15 p.m. reporting a capsized boat with two people in the water wearing life jackets.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched Holden Beach and Tri Beach water rescue and diverted a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat – Small from Coast Guard Station Oak Island, N.C., to assist.
"It was definitely a good thing that we were already on patrol in the area where the boat capsized," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Leonard Posluszny, the coxswain aboard the RB-S from Station Oak Island. "We found the two people clinging onto the overturned vessel. Once we got them onto the boat, we brought them inside, closed all the windows and turned the heat on to warm the people who were showing signs of hypothermia."
The RB-S crew arrived on scene and retrieved the two people from the water and took them to the Inlet View restaurant where they were met by an awaiting ambulance crew and treated for hypothermia.
"The fact these boaters were wearing life jackets helped save their lives today," said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina commander. "However, boaters need to be extra vigilant this time of year as air and water temperatures have dropped dramatically. Hypothermia can set in very quickly so boaters need to prepare appropriately for the cold weather."
Sea Tow salvaged the boat.