Dramatic Sea Rescue for Five After Vessel Sinks
Five individuals faced a terrifying ordeal after their sailing boat, the Magic BusThursday, approximately 260 nautical miles (399 miles) off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, leaving the passengers stranded in a life raft.
Complex Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
The Virginia Coast Guard confirmed that its Sector North Carolina Command Center received a desperate distress call from the crew. Watchstanders immediately coordinated a large-scale rescue mission. The Coast Guard deployed a Cutter Angela McShan (WPC 1135) and launched both an HC-130 Hercules aircraft and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City to locate the group.
The Hercules aircraft crew successfully located the life raft, established communication, and confirmed that all five people were stable and in good condition. However, the extreme distance from shore presented a major logistical challenge for the helicopter's fuel range.
World's Largest Warship Provides Critical Support
To overcome the distance, the Coast Guard coordinated with one of the world's biggest warships, the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush. The massive vessel provided essential refuelling support for the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter while it was en route to the rescue scene.
After refuelling, the helicopter crew proceeded to the life raft and successfully recovered all five individuals. Officials reported that everyone was rescued in good health. The helicopter then returned to the USS George HW Bush for further refuelling before transporting the survivors safely back to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.
Footage from the rescue confirmed the Magic Bus was lost, sinking beneath the waves during the operation. This successful mission highlights the critical importance of international cooperation and advanced logistics in maritime safety and emergency response.
