The Coast Guard hoisted 17 crewmen off a disabled cargo ship 180 nautical miles southeast of Elizabeth City, N.C. today. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center, Norfolk (RCC) received a distress signal at 8:04 a.m. reporting that the 600-foot cargo vessel White Seal was disabled, rolling 45-degrees and taking on water. A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules and two HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Elizabeth City launched to hoist the crewmen from the ship. Seventeen people were hoisted from the ship aboard one of the HH-60 Jayhawks. During the rescue, seas reached heights of 30-40 feet and winds up to 35-45 knots. Blowing snow and sleet reduced visibility to about one-half mile, he added. The Hercules and Jayhawk arrived at Wilmington, N.C. International Airport early this afternoon.
