On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued five people whose sailing boat started taking on water about 260 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. This operation was challenging and involved coordination with a Navy aircraft carrier.

The Coast Guard’s North Carolina Command Center received a distress signal from the crew of the Magic Bus, who reported that their boat was sinking and that all five people on board were getting into a life raft.

In response, the Coast Guard diverted the Cutter Angela McShan (WPC 1135) and launched several aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, including an HC-130 Hercules and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The crew of the HC-130 located the life raft with all five individuals on board, communicated with them, and confirmed they were safe and in good health.

Because of the long distance from shore, the Coast Guard worked with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush for crucial refueling support for the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter during the rescue.

The MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew reached the scene and successfully brought all five individuals from the life raft safely. After refueling on the aircraft carrier, they flew the survivors back to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.

This rescue highlights the Coast Guard's ability to conduct long-distance operations and the importance of cooperation between military services during maritime emergencies. Using an aircraft carrier as a refueling source shows the logistical difficulties involved in carrying out rescues far from shore.

All five rescued individuals were reported to be in good health following the incident.