Boat sinks off of VA Beach...
 

http://www.wvec.com/news/local/4-res...-80917702.html

by 13News

Posted on January 7, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Updated today at 3:28 PM

******

VIRGINIA BEACH - Four people were rescued from their sinking boat off Sandbridge Thursday afternoon.

"A 26-foot boat, taking part in a fishing tournament, saw the men waving their life jackets and went to help," said Lt. Jack Smith with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The boaters were water up to their knees and a fourth was in water up to his chest by the time help got to them.

Lt. Smith says the distress call came in right after noon and a helicopter from Elizabeth City, NC and a boat from Little Creek were immediately sent out.

A Virginia Beach fire department boat arrived and escorted the good samaritan vessel, captained by Matt Rosquokam of Maryland, to the Va. Beach Fishing Center.

The four boaters -- owner Pat O’Rourke, along with Robert Barron, Janson Stone, Brian Hamilton -- were being treated for exposure to the water and cold.

There are 178 registered participants in the tournament, according to officials.

The Coast Guard is investigating and has marked the location off so other vessels can avoid it


Be safe out there guys. That water is COLD!!!!!!

At least a tournament was going on and many boats were in the area. We have all been cold but I have never been THAT cold. Bad start ......good ending......Gary

Glad to hear everyone made it out OK. It don't take long for hyperthermia to kick in when the water is that cold.

Great job by the rescue boat and glad they were there, but I didn't think you could fish for Rockfish more than 3 miles off the coast anywhere. The report said 13 miles of the coast.

13 miles from Rudee Inlet. Within the EEZ line