From the Coast Guard –
Coast Guard rescues nine, search for four more continues
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – After rescuing nine people Monday, Coast Guard crews continue to search today for a sailboat with four people on board. Coast Guard crews have scoured about 5,440 nautical miles since Monday in the search for the sailboat
Flying Colours. This is one of four rescue cases that Air Station Elizabeth City air crews flew on in the last 48 hours. Nine people were hoisted by helicopters from three sailboats Monday, when heavy storms created seas in excess of 30 feet. Two Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., C-130 airplanes searched through the night for
Flying Colours. An Air Station Clearwater, Fla., C-130 was launched this morning to continue the search about 160 nautical miles southeast of Cape Lookout, N.C.
The 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Tampa has been en route to the 100 square-mile search area since Monday.
Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators received an electronic distress signal from the sailboat early Monday, but the signal stopped at about 4 p.m. It is possible that the crew pulled
Flying Colours into port, and turned off the distress signal. Anyone who has information regarding
Flying Colours is requested to call the Coast Guard Fifth District command center at (757) 398-6390.
Flying Colours is believed to have been sailing from the Caribbean to the Annapolis, Md., area.
