Coast Guard rescues 14, continues search for 2 from HMS Bounty

VIDEO UPDATE: Coast Guard rescues 14, continues search for 2 from HMS Bounty

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued 14 people from life rafts in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras N.C., Monday, and two remain missing.

The 14 people were flown to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., where they were met by awaiting emergency medical services personnel at approximately 10:15 a.m. with no life threatening injuries.

Crews aboard a C-130 Hercules and an MH-60 Jayhawk are searching for the two missing crewmembers. Crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Elm and the Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin are en route to assist with the search.

The vessel is reportedly sunk, but the mast is still visible.

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina initially received a call from the owner of the 180-foot, three mast tall ship, HMS Bounty, saying she had lost communication with the vessel's crew late Sunday evening.

The Coast Guard 5th District command center in Portsmouth subsequently received a signal from the emergency position indicating radio beacon registered to the Bounty, confirming the distress and position.

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, which later arrived on scene and established communications with the Bounty's crew.

Watchstanders dispatched crews aboard two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.

The first Jayhawk crew arrived on scene at approximately 6:30 a.m. and hoisted five people into the aircraft, and a second helicopter arrived and rescued nine people.

The 16 people donned cold water survival suits and life jackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies.

The vessel was reportedly taking on water and without propulsion.  On scene weather was reported to be 40 mph winds and 18-foot seas.

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Coast Guard officials are preparing to evacuate its only enlisted basic training center in preparation for Tropical Storm Sandy Sunday at 2 p.m.

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Coast Guard officials are preparing to evacuate its only enlisted basic training center in preparation for Tropical Storm Sandy Sunday at 2 p.m.

Staff at Training Center Cape May will evacuate more than 270 recruits to a designated safe haven at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst where the recruits will continue with their training schedule. Training Center Cape May will also be closed to all non-essential personnel beginning Sunday at 6 p.m.

“Our primary concerns are to ensure the safety of our recruits, Coast Guardsmen and their families and to minimize the impact this storm will have on the training process,” said Capt. Bill Kelly, the commanding officer of Training Center Cape May.

More than 1,000 Coast Guardsmen and their families will also be complying with a county evacuation order in preparation for Sandy. Local Coast Guard leaders met with Coast Guardsmen and their families during a town hall meeting Saturday at 10 a.m.

The 14 tenant commands located aboard Training Center Cape May will also be evacuating. Those operational units like Station Cape May or Aids to Navigation Team Cape May will be prepositioning outside the storm’s path for post-storm rescue and recovery operations.

Officials have postponed the reporting dates for more than 50 applicants scheduled to report for basic training Tuesday evening. Those applicants have been instructed to contact their recruiter for a new reporting date in the coming weeks.

Coast Guardsmen, their families, and friends and families of recruits can find updates and information by clicking here or visiting http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doctype/4007/117335. People can also get up-to-date information about the status of the training center, recruits and evacuation at www.facebook.com/uscoastguardbootcamp. They may also contact Training Center Cape May’s Incident Command Post at 609-898-6500.