Coast Guard rescues boaters near Wrightsville Beach, NC
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued four after their 20-foot boat began taking on water approximately ten miles off the coast of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Wednesday.

At approximately 3 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach received the report from a member of the New Hanover County Emergency Management and 911 Communications. A crew aboard a 41-foot Utility Boat launched to assist.

When the Coast Guard arrived on scene the 20-foot vessel’s stern was already submerged. The boaters were transferred from their vessel to shore aboard the UTB.

"The main thing is to be prepared for anything," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Micah Kennedy. "They had all the safety equipment that they needed aboard, even exceeding the number of lifejackets that they needed.”

Kennedy also said that making sure that all your safety equipment is aboard is crucial and that having a spare hand-held dewatering pump, just in case you need it, would be ideal.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina is broadcasting a safety marine information broadcast to warn boaters of the vessel, which was left on scene.

Crewmembers of Station Wrightsville Beach are en route to the vessels to report its condition.

The owner is making arrangements to salvage the vessel.