Five individuals were successfully rescued by the Coast Guard after their sailboat began sinking several hundred miles from the North Carolina shoreline on Thursday.
Their distress signal was picked up by the Coast Guard’s Sector North Carolina, where the crew of the sailboat, named “Magic Bus,” reported their predicament. Located approximately 260 nautical miles from Cape Hatteras, the crew had abandoned their flooding vessel for a life raft.
The Coast Guard swiftly initiated a rescue operation, deploying the cutter Angela McShan (WPC 1135), an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City.
Photographs capture the dramatic scene of the Jayhawk hovering over the turbulent, dark green ocean, with a bright orange life raft rocking in the waves below.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard is seen above the Atlantic, zeroing in on an orange life raft adrift near North Carolina’s coastline. (Image courtesy U.S. Coast Guard by Fireman Madilynn Herrell)
Additional photos depict the white sailboat tilting precariously and almost completely submerged.
Because of the boat’s distance from shore, the Coast Guard coordinated with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to provide fuel support for the helicopter, extending its range for the offshore mission.
The sailboat, partially submerged and listing to one side, was spotted by a Coast Guard aircrew as it rapidly filled with water. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Madilynn Herrell)
The HC-130 crew eventually spotted the life raft and confirmed that all five people were aboard, “stable and in good condition,” the Coast Guard said. A short time later, the Jayhawk crew hoisted them to safety.
After refueling aboard the George H.W. Bush, the helicopter flew the rescued sailors back to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. Officials said everyone appeared to be in good health.
All five men were safely rescued and flown to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, where they gathered shortly after the rescue. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Madilynn Herrell)
It remains unclear why the group was sailing so far offshore or how their voyage took them more than 250 miles from land.
The Coast Guard released photos and video of the rescue, showing the challenging conditions faced by crews during the operation.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
