Coast Guard rescues woman swept out to sea from Metompkin Inlet, Virginia

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 295-8435 5th District online newsroom

 

                      Coast Guard rescues woman swept out to sea from Metompkin Inlet, Virginia

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued a 67-year-old woman after she was swept out to sea from Metompkin Inlet on Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Virginia received notification from Accomack County dispatch.

The woman’s husband called 911 after witnessing her get swept out to sea.

Coast Guard Sector Virginia dispatched a 24-foot Special Purpose Watercraft boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Wachapreague and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City to search for the woman. 

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission also conducted search efforts.

The woman was located by the Station Wachapreague boatcrew 1 mile off Metompkin Inlet clinging to a boogie board.

Station Wachapreague transported the woman to Folly Creek Boat Ramp.

“Through rapid coordination efforts of the command center watchstanders and partner agencies, we were able to conduct an effective rescue and safely bring the survivor back to shore,” said Lt. Steven Pope, Command Duty Officer at Coast Guard Sector Virginia. “This is another example of an efficient and rapid response effort as well as interagency coordination.”

-USCG-