A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Savannah rescued two boaters at 1:45 p.m. after they were forced to jump into the water when their vessel caught fire seven miles southeast of Tybee Island, Ga., today. Rescue coordinators from Coast Guard Group Charleston, S.C., diverted the helicopter crew, which was returning from a previous missions in Charleston and also launched a small boat from Station Tybee, Ga., to respond to the vessel fire. Wallace Thomas Jr, and Thomas Wright were located immediately by the Savannah helicopter crew. Both boaters were forced to abandon ship to avoid flames which had completely engulfed their 30 foot recreationaal boat. Each of the survivors were hoisted by the Coast Guard air crew and taken to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah.
