Four Rescued From Sinking Boat Off Ocean City Coast

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Four Rescued From Sinking Boat Off Ocean City Coast
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people aboard the fishing vessel Hot Pursuit when the boat began taking on water off the coast of Ocean City Monday. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

OCEAN CITY – U.S. Coast Guard members rescued four people Monday when their vessel began taking on water 15 miles offshore of Ocean City.

Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region watchstanders received a distress alert from a Digital Selective Calling feature aboard the fishing vessel Hot Pursuit. After making contact, the captain of the vessel stated the boat was taking on water and didn’t know if the vessel could make it back to port before it sank.

“The distress alert feature on marine radios and GPS’s can be a game changer if it’s properly set up,” said Chief Michael Weelmaa, command duty officer for Sector Maryland-NCR. “In situations like this, every second matters. Follow the instructions for your device before you head out on the water to ensure we’re locked in on your location and can get to you quickly.”

A Coast Guard Station Ocean City 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew was launched to assist. When the crew arrived on scene, they embarked two of the four passengers and stabilized the vessel with dewatering pumps. The Hot Pursuit was escorted to Sunset Marina where it will undergo repairs. No medical concerns were reported.

About The Author: Shawn Soper

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Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.