VIRGINIA

5 rescued off Cape Charles after fishing boat sinks

DELMARVANOW STAFF REPORT
Crew of the fishing vessel Langley Douglas give a thumbs-up after being rescued by Air Station Elizabeth City personnel 60 miles east of Cape Charles Sept. 11.

A Coast Guard helicopter rescued five people off Cape Charles in Northampton County after their fishing vessel took on water in severe weather Monday and sank. 

The Coast Guard said in a news release two of the crew members of the fishing vessel, Langley Douglas, were in a life raft while three others were holding on to a piece of wreckage after the boat sank about 60 miles east of Cape Charles on Monday, Sept. 11.

It said a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew already in the area was diverted to the scene after watchstanders in the 5th District Command Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert from Langley Douglas. 

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The helicopter crew hoisted all five people, transporting them to Base Elizabeth City where they were seen by base medical personnel.

"The success of this rescue is directly attributed to the crew's 406MHz EPIRB, a serviceable and inspected life raft and quick use of survival suits," said OS1 Joe Watford, SAR controller for the case. 

No injuries or pollution were reported, the Coast Guard said..