The US Coast Guard has rescued five sailors after their boat sank in rough waters hundreds of miles off the coast of North Carolina. The five men aboard the sailboat 'Magic Bus' issued a mayday call on Thursday as their vessel began taking on water.
The North Carolina Command Center dispatched a response to the group, located about 260 nautical miles off Cape Hatteras. A cutter, an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter were deployed from Air Station Elizabeth City.
Photos released by the Coast Guard show the Jayhawk helicopter hovering over stormy Atlantic waters, with a small orange life raft being tossed by waves. The sailboat was seen almost completely submerged, with only its mast visible.
The HC-130 located the raft and confirmed all five crew members were stable and in good condition. Due to the distance from shore, the USS George H.W. Bush supplied additional fuel to allow the helicopter to complete the rescue.
Video footage shows helicopter crews hoisting sailors into a metal rescue basket. After being secured, the survivors were flown back to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. Photos show the five men stepping onto dry land and linking arms in relief.
Brandon Flack, owner of Magic Bus Charters, confirmed on Facebook that his son and three friends were among the rescued crew. He praised Buster Pike, the fifth crew member, for keeping everyone safe. The Coast Guard and Navy were thanked for their heroic efforts.
