Two people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard about 100 miles off Wilmington’s coast Tuesday, according to a release


What You Need To Know

  •  Two people were rescued off the coast of Wilmington Tuesday

  •  Their 32-foot boat sank, but they were unharmed 

  •  Officials said this is a great time to make sure mariners register their communications gear and have proper boat safety

The two men, unable to keep up with flooding, activated their emergency equipment on the 32-foot sinking sailboat. It sent a distress signal to the area command center.

“The District Five Command Center coordinated the rescue operation by directing the launch of a C-130 Hercules airplane and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City,” the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The helicopter hoisted the two men up and carried the men back to shore, where The Salvation Army Wilmington, NC - Harrelson Center provided dry clothing for them.

“This rescue highlights the critical importance of properly registered communication equipment,” said Lt. Sheena Bannon, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard District Five. “I cannot stress enough how essential it is for all mariners to register their communications gear to improve safety on the water.”

The two men were unharmed, but their sailboat, named Walrus, sank and was left at sea. 

Watch video of the rescue here.

(Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard)