WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard, local partners and good Samaritans assisted two boaters and their dog Sunday off Camp Lejeune after their 52-foot boat caught fire.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a report from the boaters stating black smoke was coming out of their engine room.
Sector North Carolina issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle to respond.
A good Samaritan arrived on scene and took the two mariners aboard his boat.
The Coast Guard crew, Towboat US and Seatow arrived to investigate the source of the smoke.
“My crew observed a fire in the engine room and discharged two fire extinguishers,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Shultz, the coxswain of the RBM. “A dewatering pump was also used to combat the fire.”
Both boaters were transferred to the Towboat US boat and taken to Armstrong Marine in Swansboro.
