Archive image: Coast Guard Air Station Savannah personnel pre-stage and secure MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopters in order to respond to emergencies resulting from Hurricane Idalia in Savannah, Georgia, Aug. 29, 2023.
Coast Guard units throughout the 7th District strategically position personnel, assets and equipment to effectively address the impacts of Hurricane Idalia.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Coast Guard Station Georgetown boatcrew rescue two sailors from the water in the vicinity of the Winyah Bay entrance near Georgetown. Friday, October 13, 2023.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a call at 5:40 p.m. from the spouse of a mariner aboard The Answer My Friend, a 44-foot sailing vessel, who was in need of assistance near the entrance to Winyah Bay. Watchstanders attempted to call the vessel’s owner and hail the vessel via VHF-FM channel 16 with no results.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and shortly after received an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert from the sailing vessel.
A Coast Guard Station Georgetown Response Boat-Medium crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew was launched to assist.
The boatcrew recovered the individuals from the water and treated them for shock and hypothermia while transporting them to Station Georgetown to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
A good Samaritan arrived on scene and located the sailing vessel on the jetty partially submerged but were unable to locate the people aboard.
The responding Coast Guard boatcrew commenced searching once on scene and located two people in the water. The boatcrew recovered the individuals from the water and treated them for shock and hypothermia while transporting them to Station Georgetown to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. The owner of the vessel will coordinate salvage.
«Whether it’s a VHF radio, an EPIRB, or a cell phone, having reliable communications equipment while out on the water is the keystone of maritime safety, providing a vital link to summon assistance or share critical information during a maritime emergency,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Dash, command duty officer, Sector Charleston.
The boatcrew recovered the individuals from the water and treated them for shock and hypothermia while transporting them to Station Georgetown to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
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