Archive image: ATLANTIC OCEAN. Sept. 23, 2024. – A U.S. Coast Guard MH60T Jayhawk helicopter, attached to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, lands on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during deck landing qualifications.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew conducted the rescue of five sailors after their sailboat began taking on water 260 nautical miles offshore Cape Hatteras. Thursday, October 28, 2025.
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center watchstanders received a distress call from the crew of the sailing vessel Magic Bus, reporting their vessel was taking on water and all five people aboard were abandoning ship into their life raft.
The Coast Guard diverted the Cutter Angela McShan (WPC 1135) and launched an Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130J Super Hercules aircraft aircrew and an MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew. The HC-130J Hercules aircraft aircrew located the life raft, with all five people aboard, established communications, and confirmed everyone was stable and in good condition.
Because of the long distance from shore, the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated with the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to provide fueling support for the MH-60T Jayhawk MRR helicopter aircrew while they were enroute to the rescue.
The Coast Guard coordinated with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush for refueling support during the long-distance rescue.
All five individuals were recovered in good health and transported safely to Air Station Elizabeth City.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matt Thieme.
U. S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.
U.S. Coast Guard East District.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
The MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived on scene, deployed the rescue swimmer and successfully recovered all five individuals from the life raft in good health. The rescue helicopter aircrew returned to the aircraft carrier for further refueling.
The MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew transported the survivors safely back to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.
–USCG–
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement
