Photo: Photo by Joe Perez U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Jacksonville
Three men were rescued by the United States Coast Guard after their boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean. Coast Guard Sector Charleston received a report that the men were clinging to the hull of their 23-foot boat just before 7:30 a.m. on Thursday (November 3).
A search and rescue team found the men in the water about five miles east of Charleston Harbor. They were safely extracted from the water after spending about 90 minutes on top of their sunken boat.
The men did not have any injuries and were taken to a medical center at station Charleston as a precaution.
Officials have not said what caused the boat to sink.
"This is a prime example of how quickly things can go wrong in a matter of seconds," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Harry Seibert. "It is important mariners check their vessel for all the necessary safety equipment onboard and monitor weather conditions prior to getting on the water."
The owner of the boat is working with a commercial salvage company to recover it.