COAST GUARD
RESCUES 2 CLINGING TO COOLER
ATLANTIC
CITY, N.J. - Two men were plucked from the water by a rescue helicopter Thursday, Nov. 11,
2004, after an hour and a half in the 53 degree water of Breakwater Harbor near Cape
Henelopen, Del.
Coast
Guard Station Indian River Inlet in Delaware received a cell-phone call for help via 911
from the two men on the sinking 18-foot wellcraft around 10:40 a.m.
The
station immediately launched a rescue boat while the flight crew of Coast Guard Air
Station Atlantic City prepared to assist. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast
(UMIB) was also relayed on Ch. 16 to alert other boaters to be on the lookout for the two
in trouble.
Once
the Coast Guard crews were onscene, they searched the waters of the Delaware Bay looking
for a needle in the haystack with help from the Lewes Fire Department, Delaware Pilots and
a State Police helicopter. Shortly thereafter, a good Samaritan reported seeing two
people clinging to a cooler.
The
Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat immediately diverted to the reported area where
they found the two survivors.
The
rescue swimmer onboard the Coast Guard helicopter free-fell into the water to assist the
two men into a rescue basket. Once onboard the helicopter, the two men were
transported to Beebe Medical Center for further medical care.
The
Station Indian River rescue boat was able to flip the wellcraft right side up and tow the
boat to the station.
