SAVANNAH, Ga.− The Coast Guard rescued seven people in two separate search and rescue cases Tuesday off the Georgia coast.
In the first rescue, three people were hoisted from a life raft about 60 miles east of Tybee Island by an Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and were safely transported to Charleston Executive Airport with no medical concerns.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received initial notification at 4:37 a.m. via VHF-FM Channel 16 from a man aboard a 42-foot fishing vessel Addis Sylvester reporting the vessel was taking on water and requested immediate assistance. The watchstanders diverted the Dolphin helicopter aircrew and the three people donned life jackets and deployed a life raft.
In the second rescue, a separate Air Station Savannah Dolphin aircrew hoisted four survivors at 5:18 a.m. after the fishing vessel, Jimmy & Charlie, began taking on water near Egg Island. The survivors were transported to St. Simons Airport with no medical concerns.
Sector Charleston watchstanders received initial notification at 3:20 a.m. via VHF-FM Channel 16 from a man aboard the vessel stating they were taking on water and were no longer stable.
The fishing vessel initially became disabled on November 3 and required no assistance. The owner of the vessel is working with commercial salvage to salvage the vessel.