Coast Guard Saves Six Off Carolina Coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard personnel rescued six people after their 110-foot commercial yacht began taking on water approximately 47-miles east off Winyah Bay, S.C., today at about 3:15 p.m.

The Cedar Island, a commercial yacht from Clinton, Ct., was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when the ship’s propellers became caught on an unknown object. The crew of Cedar Island lost the ability to steer and began rapidly taking on water in the 10-foot seas.

The crew called rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston’s operation center for help. Rescue coordinators diverted Cutter Legare, a 270-foot cutter from Portsmouth, Va., that was transiting in the area to assist the crew. A rescue and repair team from Legare was sent aboard Cedar Island to begin de-watering the vessel.

Meanwhile, the rescue coordinators sent a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston and a helicopter from Air Station Savannah, Ga., to hoist the people from the yacht to safety aboard the Legare. Rescue coordinators have sent Cutter Yellowfin to relieve Legare, which was headed south for a Caribbean Sea patrol.

The yacht broke free of its obstruction at approximately 4:15 p.m. Yellowfin should be there at about 5:30 p.m. and will attempt to tow the Cedar Island to safe waters.

Coast Guard Saves Six Off Carolina Coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Coast Guard personnel rescued six people after their 110-foot commercial yacht began taking on water approximately 47-miles east off Winyah Bay, S.C., today at about 3:15 p.m.

The Cedar Island, a commercial yacht from Clinton, Ct., was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when the ship’s propellers became caught on an unknown object. The crew of Cedar Island lost the ability to steer and began rapidly taking on water in the 10-foot seas.

The crew called rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston’s operation center for help. Rescue coordinators diverted Cutter Legare, a 270-foot cutter from Portsmouth, Va., that was transiting in the area to assist the crew. A rescue and repair team from Legare was sent aboard Cedar Island to begin de-watering the vessel.

Meanwhile, the rescue coordinators sent a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston and a helicopter from Air Station Savannah, Ga., to hoist the people from the yacht to safety aboard the Legare. Rescue coordinators have sent Cutter Yellowfin to relieve Legare, which was headed south for a Caribbean Sea patrol.

The yacht broke free of its obstruction at approximately 4:15 p.m. Yellowfin should be there at about 5:30 p.m. and will attempt to tow the Cedar Island to safe waters.