Coast Guard rescues 4 aboard sailboat
Four people were rescued Tuesday by a Coast Guard cutter crew after their 38-foot sailboat began taking on water approximately 200 miles east of Charleston.
Paul Doughty and Linda Doughty, both of Keyport, N.J., and Berlinda and Antoinette Cole were sailing the Wolf to Beaufort from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when the vessel apparently hit an object in the water around 5 a.m., according to a news release from the Coast Guard. The release did not identify the hometown of the Coles.
The sailboat began flooding rapidly and the group activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon.
The Coast Guard cutter Reliance was only six miles from the sailboat's position. The four people will stay aboard the Reliance until it reaches Cape Cod, Mass., today, the Coast Guard said.
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CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
Some things just don't make sense.
200 miles east of Charleston, coming from Ft. Lauderdale in route to Beaufort? So which one?
So I checked with the USCG and the press release says Beaufort, SC. Huh?
The vessel is still afloat though barely. Anyone up for a towing salvage operation this AM?
More including photos at:
www.lifefloatingby.blogspot.com
May 14, 2008 at 4:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Cedar
After reading this story, I thought of collision mats. I wonder if a spare jib quickly rigged over the damaged area would have saved this boat.
May 14, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
My thoughts as well, jib or even a spinnaker over the bow, would slow just about any water flow.
I'd guess a whale strike, lots of confusion, then the sudden discovery that all bilge pumps are running and at that point it was too late.
Lucky that the Coasties were next door.
I just don't understand being 200 miles east of Charleston if you're going to Beaufort, SC even Beaufort, NC 200 miles is in the "way out there" realm of blue water sailing.
But they get props for sailing vs. putting up the ICW like most blow boaters I know.
May 14, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CedarPosts (anonymous) says...
TP that's a good question. Most everyone stayed inshore Sunday and Monday even the big boats 100+ ft stayed in Charleston till the winds eased.
May 14, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
I am glad that the Coast Guard was there to help them. What are the odds that, 200 miles from shore, they would only be 6 miles from help?
Everyone should go rent the movie "The Guardian." It gave me a deeper respect for the Coast Guard.
May 14, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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