CHARLESTON, S.C. — A man and a woman were rescued off the Charleston jetties when their sailboat ran aground and began to take on water, Thursday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received the initial report at approximately 9:50 a.m., from the captain of the 36-foot sailing vessel, Sunshine, stating that foul weather had pushed his boat up on the rocks of the Charleston jetties, puncturing the hull.
A small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Charleston and an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston were launched to assist.
Due to the depth of water, the boatcrew couldn’t get close enough to take the two people directly aboard. With both people in life jackets, the crew threw them a heaving line and pulled them to the boat.
The boatcrew brought the two people to the Charleston Maritime Center. No injuries were reported.
“The outcome of this case is what our crews train for,” said Mr. Sean Shrum, command duty officer for the Sector Charleston command center. “We strive for a positive outcome whenever we deploy our crew, but we ask that boaters do their part too. Weather can dramatically complicate any outing on the water. We urge all boaters to check weather conditions before they cast off lines.”
For more information on life jackets and safe boating practices, visit www.uscgboating.org/.