A Coast Guard aircrew arrives on scene as a grounded sailboat is buffeted by the sea state near Fripp Island, S.C., April 22, 2015. All three men aboard were wearing life jackets. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. — A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted three people after their boat became grounded near Fripp Island, Wednesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received the initial report at approximately 6:30 p.m. on VHF channel 16, stating that three teenagers, ages 21, 19 and 16, were stranded on their grounded boat, which was becoming unstable in the wind. It was determined the safest course of action with the diminishing daylight was to hoist the three to safety.
Upon arriving on scene, an aircrew launched from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aboard an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter hoisted the men and transported them to Hilton Head.
"The boat was getting buffeted by the waves and was leaning over on its side," said Lt. Jon Magin, one of the pilots on the case. "The sun was starting to set and it was clear the survivors wanted to get off the boat. We made the determination as a crew that the situation would deteriorate once the sun went down, so we put the swimmer down to recover the survivors."
"The whole crew worked seamlessly to quickly recover the survivors just after sunset before fuel on the helicopter became an issue," said Magin.
All three were wearing life jackets.
No medical concerns were reported.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received the initial report at approximately 6:30 p.m. on VHF channel 16, stating that three teenagers, ages 21, 19 and 16, were stranded on their grounded boat, which was becoming unstable in the wind. It was determined the safest course of action with the diminishing daylight was to hoist the three to safety.
Upon arriving on scene, an aircrew launched from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aboard an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter hoisted the men and transported them to Hilton Head.
"The boat was getting buffeted by the waves and was leaning over on its side," said Lt. Jon Magin, one of the pilots on the case. "The sun was starting to set and it was clear the survivors wanted to get off the boat. We made the determination as a crew that the situation would deteriorate once the sun went down, so we put the swimmer down to recover the survivors."
"The whole crew worked seamlessly to quickly recover the survivors just after sunset before fuel on the helicopter became an issue," said Magin.
All three were wearing life jackets.
No medical concerns were reported.