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| HH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive) |
PORTSMOUTH, Va.–The Coast Guard assisted an overdue boater who went missing near Cherrystone Campground in Cape Charles, Virginia, late Monday night.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads were notified at about 9 p.m., Monday, by the man’s wife stating he left for a 15-minute trip in a Jon Boat, and had failed to return after over two hours.
Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) and launched a 29-foot rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles, launched an HH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City and requested the assistance of the Virginia Marine Police and North Hampton Sheriff’s Department.
The Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew spotted the man in shallow water waving his arms and then hoisted him aboard the helicopter.
The rescue helicopter crew dropped the man off at Cherrystone Campground with no reported injuries.
“Having a float plan and a communication device like a VHF radio will get first responders to you quickly when you’re in trouble,” said Lt. Cmdr. Trisha Jantzen, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “If you let someone know where you’re going and when you’re headed back, coupled with a way to reach out for help, you will drastically reduce search time and increase your chances to be rescued.”
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