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Description
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Coast Guard is assisting the captain of a fishing vessel that is taking on water and has lost its electronic navigation equipment about 50-miles southeast of Charleston in 12- to-15 foot seas and 20- to-40 knot winds.
The captain of the 34-foot fishing vessel Joe Green radioed for help after a large wave washed over the bow of his boat knocking out the windows pilot house and destroying the boat's navigational equipment at approximately 3 a.m. Another vessel in the area relayed the Joe Green's distress call to Coast Guard rescue coordinators at Sector Charleston at about 3:35 a.m.
Rescue coordinators were able to establish radio communications with the captain of Joe Green and provided him with information that would help him navigate to safe harbor. The captain reported he was taking on water and his bilge pumps were not functioning shortly after rescue coordinators made contact with the boat at about 4 a.m.
Rescue coordinators launched a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston, which is staffed by crews from Savannah, Ga., to assist the Joe Green. The helicopter found the Joe Green at about 5 a.m., and the helicopter rescue crew lowered the captain a dewatering pump. The pump was able to control the flooding and allowed the captain to stay with his vessel.
The Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin from Charleston is going to rendezvous with the Joe Green and escort the fishing vessel in to ensure the boat makes it to Charleston safely. The captain is the only person aboard the Joe Green.
