Boaters Rescued after Sailboat Capsizes PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Two people were rescued this evening after the 15-foot sailboat they were on capsized near the first island on the south end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. A 47-foot rescue boat from Station Little Creek along with a Navy rescue helicopter from Chambers Air Field and members of the Virginia Beach Fire-Rescue Marine Unit participated in the search for the missing boaters, who were recovered shortly before 7:30 this evening by the fire-rescue team. In addition to wearing life vests one of the boaters was wearing a wetsuit while the other wore a drysuit. The onset of winter brings lower water temperatures and with it increased chances of boaters getting hypothermia. Because water absorbs heat 25 times faster than air, increased protection against exposure can imporve the time a boater has to exit the water if they fall overboard. Most body heat is lost through the extremities, and boaters should take steps to ensure that they are protected. For instance, about 50 percent of heat loss occurs from the head. Wearing gear designed for exposure, such as drysuits, aids in ensuring a safe recreational experience. To minimize the risk of injury or accidents the Coast Guard asks boaters to adequately prepare themselves and their boats before plying the waters. Steps boaters can take include: • Checking the weather. In the winter, conditions can change rapidly with little warning
• Carry a set of dry clothing. The risk of hypothermia increases as water temperature drops. A boater does not need to fall overboard to get hypothermia.
• Wear a life vest or anti-exposure suit. Wearing a life vest greatly increases the chances of survival if a boater falls in the water.
• Bring the appropriate equipment. Radios and flares among other items are essential in communicating rescuers in any distress situation. Though cell phones can be a useful backup to a radio, boaters are reminded that they have several limitations such as battery life, coverage and are difficult to pinpoint with direction finding equipment. The Coast Guard does not recommend cell phones as a primary means of communication.
• File a float plan with family or friends. A float plan consists of a description of the boat, the number of people onboard, its destination, and when it will return.
Utilizing the Coast Guard’s Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program can ensure that the recreational boater is equipped with all required safety gear, making sure that a critical piece of lifesaving gear is not missing at a crucial time. Information regarding VSC and boating safety can be found at
Boaters Rescued after Sailboat Capsizes
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Two people were rescued this evening after the 15-foot sailboat they were on capsized near the first island on the south end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
A 47-foot rescue boat from Station Little Creek along with a Navy rescue helicopter from Chambers Air Field and members of the Virginia Beach Fire-Rescue Marine Unit participated in the search for the missing boaters, who were recovered shortly before 7:30 this evening by the fire-rescue team. In addition to wearing life vests one of the boaters was wearing a wetsuit while the other wore a drysuit.
The onset of winter brings lower water temperatures and with it increased chances of boaters getting hypothermia. Because water absorbs heat 25 times faster than air, increased protection against exposure can imporve the time a boater has to exit the water if they fall overboard. Most body heat is lost through the extremities, and boaters should take steps to ensure that they are protected. For instance, about 50 percent of heat loss occurs from the head. Wearing gear designed for exposure, such as drysuits, aids in ensuring a safe recreational experience.
To minimize the risk of injury or accidents the Coast Guard asks boaters to adequately prepare themselves and their boats before plying the waters.
Steps boaters can take include:
• Checking the weather. In the winter, conditions can change rapidly with little warning
• Carry a set of dry clothing. The risk of hypothermia increases as water temperature drops. A boater does not need to fall overboard to get hypothermia.
• Wear a life vest or anti-exposure suit. Wearing a life vest greatly increases the chances of survival if a boater falls in the water.
• Bring the appropriate equipment. Radios and flares among other items are essential in communicating rescuers in any distress situation. Though cell phones can be a useful backup to a radio, boaters are reminded that they have several limitations such as battery life, coverage and are difficult to pinpoint with direction finding equipment. The Coast Guard does not recommend cell phones as a primary means of communication.
• File a float plan with family or friends. A float plan consists of a description of the boat, the number of people onboard, its destination, and when it will return.
Utilizing the Coast Guard’s Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program can ensure that the recreational boater is equipped with all required safety gear, making sure that a critical piece of lifesaving gear is not missing at a crucial time. Information regarding VSC and boating safety can be found at