U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Corps helicopter crews rescued two people and a dog Sunday from a grounded sailboat near Beaufort, North Carolina (watch video).
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington received a call at approximately 11:50 a.m. from the operator of the 42-foot sailboat Serendipity who stated the boat was grounded and being taken over by waves near the number 15 buoy in Beaufort Inlet.
Sector North Carolina personnel issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City to the scene.
A Marine Corps HH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crew from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point arrived on scene first and hoisted a man with a heart condition from the grounded vessel. The crew placed him in the care of awaiting EMS at Fort Macon.
The Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk crew arrived on scene and hoisted a woman and a dog from the sailboat and took them to Fort Macon.
The man’s condition is unknown. The woman and dog are in good condition.
A Sea Tow crew plans to salvage the sailboat.
