Two seafarers have been rescued by the US Coast Guard (USCG) after the lifeboat they were working on was accidently released into the sea.
The incident involving the 73,933 -dwt Chemtrans Nova (built 2006) occurred some 70 miles off the coast of Chincoteague, Virginia.
The crew of the Chemikalien Seetransport owned tanker are reported to have contacted USCG Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders to request assistance.
Fortunately, the USCG cutter Reliance was on patrol about 20 miles away and diverted to help the crew of the product tanker.
They later recovered one person off the lifeboat and the other in the water. Their injuries included a stomach laceration and broken leg.
A US Navy P-8 Poseidon airplane crew assisted by providing communication relay support over the long distance as a USCG MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched to medevac the men.
The injured seafarers were taken to Norfolk Sentara General Hospital for additional care.
“The Navy was very helpful. After they overheard the broadcast, they helped locate the men in the water and stayed on scene until the nearby Coast Guard cutter arrived,” said Chief Petty Officer Josh French, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Hampton Roads.
“It was definitely a collaborative effort to rescue them. They were fortunate things fell in place, with everyone being close by.”
