Thanksgiving Rescue with EPIRB and Offshore Commander Off North Carolina Shore
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Thanksgiving Weekend, 2009 North Carolina --
“The US Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter had our location in minutes from the McMurdo EPIRB, and got to our location in 45 minutes from Elizabeth City, N.C. The USCG took the owner from the boat with a rescue swimmer and dropped a gasoline powered pump to drain the water out of the boat. After approximately 3 hours waist deep in water in 10-12 ft seas and 20-30 knot winds, it was time to justify buying the best quality safety equipment I know of. The Offshore Commander 6 person life raft inflated perfectly in approximately 30 seconds. We were then rescued by a US Coast Guard 47’ lifeboat from Beaufort, N.C. After reporting and debriefing from the US Coast Guard, they gave us a ride to the Hampton Inn in Morehead City, N.C. On arrival at the Hampton Inn, the receptionist told me she had a call from the US Coast Guard requesting me to turn off my EPIRB, as it was tracking me to my room. Thanks for a good Thanksgiving!”
-Keith Lehman, Captain