It Was a Busy Weekend for Rescuers

Thanksgiving may have a lot more meaning than usual for several boaters rescued from precarious situations along the east coast this past weekend.

Five people were saved from their sinking 47-foot sailboat off Cape Lookout, NC, on Saturday. The Coast Guard helicopter arrived just as only a foot or two of the boat remained above water according to the Virginian-Pilot.

Meanwhile, two boaters off of Manasquan Inlet, NJ, abandoned their burning boat (named “the Finally”). Luckily they didn’t have to jump into the chilly northeastern water – they had a life raft in which to wait for the Coast Guard boat that rescued them. From the AP on Philly.com.

Also in New Jersey this weekend, the same Coast Guard station rescued all eight people from the sinking 30-foot sport fishing boat, the "Jamaican Princess". The boat had a leak according to the Asbury Park Press.

Unfortunately, sometimes luck and heroes from the Coast Guard are not enough. How can you be prepared? Boating safety resources from FirstBoat are a good place to start.

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