WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard rescued two men Tuesday after their boat overturned near Carolina Beach.Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a report at 11:06 p.m. Monday stating two men, ages 25 and 35, were aboard the 41-foot fishing boat Allicat, when the boat ran aground in Snow's Cut. The men remained aboard and waited for high tide to re-float the boat, but at 1:16 a.m. Tuesday, watchstanders received notice the vessel overturned and one man was in the water.
A 29-foot Response Boat-Small (RBS) crew launched from Station Wrightsville Beach and arrived on scene at 1:51 a.m. They pulled one man from the water and brought both aboard the RBS. One man reported leg injuries, the other reported back injuries, and both showed signs of cold weather exposure.
The boat crew arrived at the Carolina Beach Wildlife Boat Ramp and transported the two men to EMS at 2 a.m. They were brought to New Hanover Regional Medical Center by EMS and were last reported in stable condition.
A sheen was reported in the vicinity of the overturned boat. The boat holds a maximum capacity of 150 gallons of diesel, though the amount on board at the time of the incident is unknown. The Coast Guard is investigating possible pollution.
"We are very pleased with our timely response last night to assist two crewmembers from the Allicat," said Chief Warrant Officer Keith D. Moore, command duty officer at Sector North Carolina. "Station Wrightsville Beach's small boat team was able to pull them to safety and deliver them to the required medical attention. The Coast Guard always stands ready to respond when people are in distress, and last night was a perfect example."
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