Portsmouth, Va. – The Coast Guard rescued two men Tuesday about 90 miles off the east coast of Chincoteague.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard’s 5th District Command Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, received an alert at approximately 4 p.m. Monday from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Bremen, Germany stating that sailboat Irene was in need of assistance.
The Shearwater arrived on scene at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, but were unable to pass a towline due to the sailing vessel’s condition and environmental factors. They finally reached the Irene at approximately 7:30 a.m.
Rescued were Joerg Fleimming, 51 and Stefan Heising, 56, both German nationals.
The two men were taken to the Coast Guard Station Little Creek, where they were met by Customs and Border Patrol agents who assisted the two men in obtaining a flight back to Germany out of Norfolk International Airport.
McKinley Strother, WTKR Intern
