VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued two boaters Thursday morning after their vessel began taking on water 34 miles southeast of Virginia Beach.
Rescued were Jeffrey Hudson, 30, and Robert Hudson, 60.
Coast Guard Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders received a distress call at approximately 9:07 a.m. from the crew of the 57-foot sport fisher Turn Me Loose, reporting their vessel was sinking and they were abandoning ship into their life raft.
The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) and directed the launch of Coast Guard Station Little Creek 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, and the USCGC Pompano (WPB 87339). The crew of USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759) and Virginia Beach Fire Boat 12 also responded after hearing the UMIB.
The two boaters activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which allowed the Coast Guard to pinpoint their location.
At 10:03 a.m., the Calhoun crew and a rescue helicopter arrived on scene to find two men in a life raft. The Calhoun crew safely recovered both and performed a medical evaluation aboard with no reported injuries.
After the evaluation, the two were transferred to the Station Little Creek RB-M and transported to Lynnhaven boat ramp, escorted by Virginia Beach Fire Boat 12, where they were reunited with their family.
"This successful rescue highlights the importance of preparedness and the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between multiple agencies and assets," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Butierries, Sector Virginia command duty officer. "The quick response and the mariners' preparedness significantly contributed to the rescue."
The Turn Me Loose remains partially submerged approximately 30 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The Coast Guard has issued a broadcast notice to advise mariners to avoid the submerged object.
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