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BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The United States Coast Guard says 3 people are recovering after being rescued from a disabled sailboat adrift off the coast of southeast Georgia.
The Coast Guard initially received reports from a large container ship that a 55-foot sailboat, off St. Simons
Island, was in distress, late Thursday evening.
The agency says they deployed resources after the receiving the report, but because of weather conditions, rescuers were not able to reach the stranded boaters.
“During any evolution, safety is a top priority for the Coast Guard,” said Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Scaff, chief of planning and readiness for Coast Guard Sector Charleston. “It’s a factor that is constantly evaluated and reevaluated as any operation proceeds. To make the necessary decisions to save a life, it’s matter of identifying and mitigating those inherent risks.”
On Friday morning, a helicopter from Clearwater, Florida, arrived on scene, hoisted the 3 people aboard and transported them to the airport on St. Simons Island.
Officials say the boaters were transported to a local medical center and are expected to be okay.
It is believed the sailboat became disabled due to a loss of steering power.
