The U.S. Coast Guard assisted the four-person crew of a sailing vessel after it became disabled east of Oregon Inlet Wednesday evening.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a distress call via VHF-FM radio at approximately 6 p.m. from the crew of the Puffin reporting that their 70-foot sailing vessel had become disabled in heavy seas 30 miles east of Oregon Inlet.

The crew activated their on-board emergency position indicating radio beacon to help provide the vessel’s location to the Coast Guard. An Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew was launched along with an HC-130J Hercules aircrew.

The Hercules aircrew arrived on scene to establish visual confirmation of the vessel. The Jayhawk helicopter aircrew arrived and transported all four boaters to Air Station Elizabeth City, where they were met by emergency medical services personnel.

“All boaters are strongly encouraged to check weather conditions before departing a port,” said Stephen Sawyer, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector North Carolina. “This can greatly decrease the risk of getting caught in dangerous conditions on the water and becoming disabled.” 

There were no reported injuries to the boaters.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Dorian leaves its mark on Cape Hatteras Secondary Secondary

Highlight Reels: Piers up and running despite Dorian damage