WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard rescued two people Saturday after their boat capsized in the Albemarle Sound near Hertford.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center in Wilmington received notification from Hertford County 911 dispatchers that two people were overboard in the Albemarle Sound off Harvey Point at approximately 7:25 p.m.
A Coast Guard 29-foot Response Boat crew launched from Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City at approximately 7:33 p.m., and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched at approximately 7:49 p.m.
The helicopter crew was able to locate the distressed boaters clinging to the overturned hull of their vessel at approximately 8:10 p.m., due to cell phone communication between the survivors and Hertford County 911 dispatchers.
The aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer and hoisted both survivors to the helicopter using a rescue basket. They were transported to Air Station Elizabeth City and placed in the care of awaiting local EMS at approximately 8:50 p.m.
“We were very happy to locate these people, considering they had no visible lights, reflective material, nor signaling devices,” said Lt. Jared Carbajal, aircraft commander for the rescue. “The outstanding coordination between Coast Guard Sector North Carolina personnel, Hertford County 911 dispatchers and the survivors on their cell phone allowed us to locate and bring them home safely.
In addition to always wearing a PFD with reflective material, always bring signaling devices every time you go out on the water to increase your chance of survival is something goes wrong. Even if you only plan to be out during daylight, if your vessel becomes disabled, you might find yourself in trouble, in the dark.”