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CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Coast Guard Station Georgetown boat crew rescued two people from the water, Friday, in the vicinity of the Winyah Bay entrance near Georgetown.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a call at 5:40 p.m. from the spouse of a mariner aboard The Answer My Friend, a 44-foot sailing vessel, who was in need of assistance near the entrance to Winyah Bay. Watchstanders attempted to call the vessel’s owner and hail the vessel via VHF-FM channel 16 with no results.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and shortly after received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert from the sailing vessel. A Station Georgetown boat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah helicopter crew launched to assist.
A good Samaritan arrived on scene and located the sailing vessel on the jetty partially submerged but were unable to locate the people aboard.
The responding boat crew commenced searching once on scene and located two people in the water. The boat crew recovered the individuals from the water and treated them for shock and hypothermia while transporting them to Station Georgetown to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. The owner of the vessel will coordinate salvage.
"Whether it's a VHF radio, an EPIRB, or a cell phone, having reliable communications equipment while out on the water is the keystone of maritime safety, providing a vital link to summon assistance or share critical information during a maritime emergency,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Dash, command duty officer, Sector Charleston.
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