Good Samaritian rescues 5 off Cape Lookout

FORT MACON, N.C. &ampmdash 5 men and women have been rescued by a great Samaritan ten miles southwest of Cape Lookout at 10:55 a.m. Friday.

The 5 guys were in the water, clinging to their boat for around 22-hrs before being rescued by Mark Forester aboard his boat, Blucifer.

Rescued have been Chul Lee, Byung Park, Ung Chong, Ku Changu, and Ung Sik James, from Fayetteville, N.C., who had departed New River Inlet Thursday early morning for a day of fishing. They reportedly ended up anchored roughly 14 miles off New River Inlet when the seas commenced to worsen. Whilst trying to retrieve their anchor, the boat was capsized by a big wave, ejecting all 5 people into the drinking water.

Family members members notified the Coast Guard Friday morning to report that the group had not returned last night as anticipated. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued an urgent marine info broadcast and initiated a research of the region from New River to Cape Lookout making use of aircraft and boats.

The adult males drifted with their boat for around 22 several hours before they ended up located by Forester, an estimated 31 miles from their original area.

Only one particular man or woman was sporting a lifejacket.

&quotThe choice to keep with the boat helped save their lives,&quot explained Capt. Anthony Popiel, commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. &quotIt was precisely the appropriate factor to do.&quot

Staying with the boat and the h2o temperatures at about 76 degrees contributed to their survival.

&quotThe Coast Guard also many thanks Mr. Forester for his assistance in discovering these males in the open ocean and bringing them to safety at the Radio Island boat ramp in Morehead Town,&quot mentioned Popiel. &quotHe is the actual hero of the day.&quot

Coast Guard Station Fort Macon crew members are driving the males back to their vehicle in Sneads Ferry, N.C.

Sea Tow is presently salvaging the overturned boat.

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