Coast Guard rescues two from Albemarle Sound

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Coast Guard crews rescued two people from a disabled sailboat in the Albemarle Sound during severe weather Tuesday night.

By: 5th District Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard | WNCT
Published: March 03, 2010

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Coast Guard crews rescued two people from a disabled sailboat in the Albemarle Sound during severe weather Tuesday night.

A man and woman aboard the 26-foot sailboat Griff called Sector North Carolina at 5:48 p.m. after losing power. They reported they needed help and were afraid their boat may capsize in 3-5 foot seas and 20 knot winds. Having been blown off course, they didn't know their exact location, but recently saw channel marker 173 in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders launched Station Elizabeth City's 25-foot response boat and Station Oregon Inlet's 47-foot response boat to find them. Currituck County 911 operators provided an approximate location and the Elizabeth City crew was able to find them at 7:24 p.m.

The crew was unable to tow the sailboat due to the weather and transfered the two people to awaiting EMS at Alligator River Marina with minor injuries.

"The Coast Guard encourages boaters to have the proper safety gear onboard your vessel at all times," said Ens. Caleb Peacock, a Sector North Carolina public affairs officer. "Always wear the proper personal floatation device, and be attentive to inclement weather."