CAPE CHARLES, Va.— The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced two mariners who were burned after their vessel caught fire about 36 miles east of Fisherman Island Tuesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Virginia Command Center were notified that a vessel caught fire and was spotted roughly 36 miles east of Fisherman Island at approximately 3 p.m.
Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, to which a Good Samaritan responded and rescued the two men from the water after they had abandoned ship due to the fire.
Coast Guard Cutter Dependable arrived on scene, and the crew safely helped the two mariners aboard the cutter.
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew to the scene and successfully medevaced the mariners to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where they are being treated for injuries.
"The coordination between Coast Guard assets and the good sam who retrieved the two individuals from the water was critical in the life saving aspect of this case," said Lt. Cmdr. Erica Elfguinn, the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator for this case. "The active participation of others on the water is essential to keeping our waterways safe."
