PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued two people Sunday aboard a 43-foot sailboat that was disabled and adrift approximately 17 miles east of Oregon Inlet, N.C.
Crewmembers aboard the Cimarron, a 43-foot sailboat, contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday reporting they had lost their rigging and were adrift.
Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Block Island, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Atlantic Beach, N.C., and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet to assist.
The crew aboard the MLB arrived on scene at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday and placed the boat in tow. The Block Island arrived on scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. Sunday and took the vessel in tow due to the hazardous weather conditions and proceeded en route to the Chesapeake Bay.
The crew aboard the Block Island arrived on scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. Sunday and placed the boat in tow en route to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel near Virginia Beach.
A Towboat U.S. crew met the Block Island at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at approximately 3 p.m. Monday and took over the tow.
"It's a great feeling to have been able to assist these mariners in need," said Lt. Donald Flusche, the commanding officer of the Block Island. "We practice towing evolutions on a regular basis and the crew's proficiency was essential in providing assistance to the disabled sailboat given the severe weather conditions."
The Block Island and crew moored at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth.
There are no reports of injuries.