Coast Guard rescues 4 after vessel sinks 20 miles off Tybee Island

Aug. 2, 2024

CHARLESTON, S.C.— The Coast Guard rescued four people, Friday, after their vessel sank 20 miles off Tybee Island, Georgia.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a notification at 2:30 p.m. via VHF-FM channel 16 from the operator of the Glacier Bay, a 26-foot catamaran, stating the vessel was taking on water with four people aboard, including a pregnant woman. The operator also stated they deployed a life raft and activated their registered personal locator beacon. 

The helicopter crew located the life raft and deployed a rescue swimmer to evaluate the situation. The rescue swimmer remained with the people aboard the life raft until the boat crew arrived on scene. 

Once on scene, the boat crew safely brought aboard all four people and the life raft and transported them to Station Tybee Island. 

No injuries were reported. 

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast notifying all mariners in the area of the distress, directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Tybee Island boat crew and diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Savannah helicopter crew to assist. 

“This case and its favorable outcome are a testament to being prepared on the water,” said Lt. Michael Allen, Sector Charleston search and rescue mission coordinator during the case. “When the mariners found themselves in distress, they contacted us using their VHF radio, utilized their life jackets, deployed a raft, and activated an emergency GPS locating beacon. They helped take the ‘search out of search and rescue, allowing us to swiftly recover and reunite them with their friends and loved ones.” 

The vessel was last reported as partially submerged.