Canadian Boaters Rescued After Catastrophic Flooding on Yacht off North Carolina Coast
A yacht, sailing more than 100 miles off the North Carolina coast, was struck by a sudden and overwhelming flooding that posed a severe threat to the crew’s safety. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that four Canadian boaters were on board when hatches on both sides of the vessel gave way, causing water to pour in. As a result, the crew had no choice but to abandon ship on Saturday, October 21.
Thankfully, the boaters managed to find refuge on a raft and immediately called for help. The Coast Guard promptly sprang into action, utilizing a plane to track down the stranded group. A helicopter was then dispatched to rescue them from the perilous situation, as captured in a video shared on social media and stated in an October 22 news release.
Following their rescue, Jason Kindree, captain of the yacht, expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by the local community. He mentioned in an interview with WNCN that the assistance provided by the people of North Carolina was nothing short of outstanding.
The incident unfolded when rescuers received a distress call from the capsized yacht, approximately 140 miles from the Wilmington area. The ill-fated vessel, named the Moon Dragon, is a 60-foot catamaran that regularly charters between the Mid-Atlantic and the Virgin Islands, according to the Coast Guard.
The ocean is unpredictable and unforgiving, and this case perfectly demonstrates the importance of being prepared at sea, emphasized Petty Officer 1st Class Austin Lang, operations unit controller, in the news release. He recognized that the sailors’ possession of the appropriate gear, their proficiency in using it, and their quick thinking played a pivotal role in their safe return.
At the time of the flooding, the sea was quite turbulent, with waves reaching heights of 11 to 12 feet and winds gusting up to 35 mph, as reported by the Coast Guard. Miraculously, everyone on board the yacht emerged unharmed from the incident. However, even as of October 22, a part of the overturned catamaran remained submerged. Consequently, the Coast Guard issued a safety broadcast warning mariners about the potential navigational hazard.
In another incident, a fishing boat carrying three men has mysteriously vanished off the Georgia coast. This alarming development has sparked a search operation, with fellow anglers joining the effort to locate the missing individuals.
As the rescues and searches continue, the significance of preparedness and swift action under adverse circumstances cannot be stressed enough. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the unpredictability of the sea and the need for sailors to equip themselves with the right tools and knowledge to navigate safely.
