ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. — The Coast Guard and Sea Tow Charleston rescued three mariners Thursday six nautical miles east of Isle of Palms.
The vessel began taking on water and later capsized leaving the mariners in the water near the hull.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center were notified by Sea Tow Charleston a 25-foot center console boat was taking on water at 10:47 a.m. As conditions worsened, the mariners called for additional assistance over VHF marine radio channel 16.
A Coast Guard Station Charleston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew dispatched at 10:56 a.m. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 11:24 a.m. and deployed a rescue swimmer to assist the mariners onto the responding Sea Tow boat. The survivors were later transferred to the Coast Guard boat, and the Coast Guard boat crew took them to the Isle of Palms Marina.
The survivors did not require emergency medical treatment and were reported to be in good condition.
An Army Corps of Engineers boat crew, Charleston County marine units and Navy patrol aircraft also assisted in the coordinated rescue.
For video from this rescue, click here.