Watch: U.S. Coast Guard, Tanker Crew Rescue 3 From Flooding Sailboat Off Florida

Three people were rescued from a sailboat taking on water in the Atlantic Ocean around 450 miles east of Daytona Beach, Florida, following a joint operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and a merchant vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District said the rescue was completed at about 2:20 a.m. on Monday.

The three mariners were taken aboard the motor tanker Radiant Pride and were reported to be in stable condition, with no injuries.

The incident began on Sunday afternoon when Coast Guard watchstanders at the Southeast District command centre received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert at around 3:20 p.m., indicating a vessel in distress.

An HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City was launched to locate the sailboat.

The aircrew found the vessel at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. At the time, the sailboat was taking on water and was operating in rough seas with waves reaching up to 20 feet.

Due to the distance from shore and the sea conditions, the aircrew issued a distress broadcast requesting assistance from nearby vessels.

The motor tanker Radiant Pride responded to the call and arrived at the scene during the early hours of Monday.

Video released by the Coast Guard showed the sailboat being tossed by heavy seas, with damaged sails visible, as the tanker approached and secured the vessel.

The three people were then safely taken aboard Radiant Pride.

Reference: USCG

Source: Maritime Shipping News