PORTSMOUTH, Va — The Coast Guard assisted five people after their boat ran aground on Parramore Island, Virginia, Saturday.
A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Wachapreague, Virginia, notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth at 3:50 p.m. that they had found a disabled and aground 18-foot sailboat with five adults aboard.
The RB-M crew returned to Station Wachapreague, switched to a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boat, returned to the scene and took the grounded sailboat in a side tow.
The boat crew transported the sailboat and its passengers to Wachapreague Town Marina by about 5:50 p.m.
“One of the reasons we regularly patrol our area of responsibility is to keep an eye out for people in trouble,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Callanan, coxswain for the case. “We encourage all mariners to keep working communications equipment like radios and satellite phones on board their vessels. Don’t hesitate to call for help if you need it.”
