Helicopter hoists are always tricky, but rescuing two people and two dogs—in the dark—by helicopter was a special challenge for the Coast Guard in the Bay last week. Watch in real time as they rescue the boat’s occupants one by one:
The Coast Guard got a call on Thursday evening after dark reporting that a 31-foot sailboat had run aground south of Fleeton Point, Maryland, in 4 feet of water. The boat was beginning to suffer structural damage.
Coast Guard Section Maryland-National Capital Region responded by issuing an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to other mariners who may have been in the area. The Coast Guard deployed an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City along with a 29-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes. Several local agencies worked alongside the Coast Guard.
When crews got to the scene, they were able to make contact with the boaters.
“When we got word that a vessel was aground and breaking apart, we knew we had to act fast,” said Lt. Cmdr. Erin Palmer, search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Maryland – National Capital Region.
The helicopter crew carefully hoisted the boaters, one by one, and the two dogs they had aboard, and brought all of them to safety.
“Our crews train constantly for these types of incidents and last night that training paid off,” said Palmer.
The boaters were checked out by emergency services crews at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. No major injuries were reported.
As of the last update from the Coast Guard, the sailboat was still aground, and a salvage plan is being developed by the owner.
