Coast Guard rescues three from boat off Oregon Inlet

The Coast Guard rescued three people Sunday after the boat they were on began taking on water 39 miles southeast of Oregon Inlet.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders received notification Sunday at about 12:20 p.m. that a 24-foot boat with three people aboard was taking on water. 

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City, and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew launched from Station Oregon Inlet. The boat crew arrived on scene at about 2 p.m. and deployed a crew member to assist with dewatering efforts. The helicopter crew deployed a rescue swimmer and a dewatering pump.

At 2:10 p.m., the helicopter crew recovered their swimmer while the Coast Guard boat crew escorted the boat into Oregon Inlet. By 4:20 p.m., the boat was moored at the North Carolina National Park Service boat ramp.
No injuries were reported.

“We were very pleased with the timely response from our Air Station Elizabeth City and Station Oregon Inlet crews,” said Chief Warrant Officer Keith Moore, command duty officer at Sector North Carolina. “The Coast Guard always stands ready to assist people in distress, and this afternoon was a perfect example of their capability.”