Two Saved South of Emerald Isle, NC

The Coast Guard rescued two people from a boat Wednesday taking on water south of Bogue Inlet.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington received a mayday call from two people aboard the 23-foot skiff, Southern Yankee, 12 miles southeast of Bogue Inlet, stating the skiff was taking on water at approximately 9:40 a.m.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RBM) crew from Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle launched at 9:51 a.m. and arrived on scene at 10:17 a.m.

The two people aboard the flooded skiff were taken aboard the RBM, and the Coast Guard worked with pumps to keep up with the flooding while towing the skiff to Casper’s Marina in Swansboro. The source of the leak was found to be a hole in the hull.

A Tow Boat U.S. crew met the Coast Guard crew about two miles south of Bogue Inlet and took over the tow.

The Coast Guard then escorted Tow Boat U.S. and transported the two boaters to Casper’s Marina.

No injuries were reported.

“The boaters today had two GPSs aboard and were able to give us their exact location,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Platania, RBM crewman for the case and officer of the day at Station Emerald Isle. “Knowing their precise location allowed for a rapid response, resulting not only in an optimal outcome for both boaters, but enabling us to save the vessel as well. The Coast Guard can’t stress enough the importance of proper navigation equipment.”