A dramatic water rescue took place off the coast of South Carolina, as the U.S. Coast Guard saved two individuals from a sinking sailboat. The rescue mission was launched after a distress call was received from the crew member aboard the sailboat, named Answer My Friend. The boat was in distress near a jetty in the entrance to Winyah Bay.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Coast Guard attempted to establish contact with the boat on VHF Channel 16 but was unsuccessful. Soon after, an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated on the vessel, prompting the Coast Guard to issue an urgent marine information broadcast over the radio.
Responding swiftly, a Coast Guard rescue boat crew and an Air Station Savannah helicopter crew launched a search for the mariners. At the scene, a good Samaritan boater had already arrived but was unable to locate the crew. The sailboat was found partially submerged on the jetty, with only the top part of the mast and sails visible.
The Coast Guard rescue boat crew managed to locate and pull two individuals from the water. Both were treated for shock and hypothermia. Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Dash, the command duty officer at Sector Charleston, emphasized the importance of reliable communication equipment while out on the water, stating that it is the key to maritime safety.
The cause of the sailboat’s sinking is currently under investigation. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that first responders, such as the Coast Guard, play in ensuring the safety of individuals in distress at sea.
