Coast Guard rescues four people after boat engine fire near Fort Macon State Park, NC

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/20/2018 12:34 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
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Coast Guard rescues four people after boat engine fire near Fort Macon State Park, NC

CARTERET COUNTY, NC — The Coast Guard rescued three people from the water and one person from a vessel after the engines caught fire in Back Sound near Fort Macon State Park, North Carolina, Sunday evening.

Carteret County police initially received the distress call from a person aboard the distressed vessel, and notified the Coast Guard of the incident at about 5:50 p.m.

Sector North Carolina launched a 24-foot shallow water vessel from Station Fort Macon and recovered all persons in the water and on the boat. The Coast Guard then transported the survivors back to Station Fort Macon. 

“When we arrived on scene, two of the three people in the water were wearing life jackets,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class James Sellers, the coxswain of the response boat. “Thinking that you can put on a life jacket right before you enter the water is dangerous. We recommend that you wear your life jacket while boating to be prepared in the event of an emergency.”

-USCG-