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Boaters found clinging to hull in Albemarle Sound

The U.S. Coast Guard rescue two boaters Saturday night who were found clinging to the hull of their overturned vessel in the Albemarle Sound near Hertford.

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PERQUIMANS COUNTY, N.C. — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two boaters Saturday night who were found clinging to the hull of their overturned vessel in the Albemarle Sound near Hertford.

Officials said a helicopter crew and a boat crew launched from Elizabeth City minutes after getting notification from Hertford Couty 911 dispatchers about 7:25 p.m.

The helicopter crew was able to find the boaters about 8:10 p.m. because the boaters used their cellphones to stay in contact with dispatchers.

“We were very happy to locate these people, considering they had no visible lights, reflective material, nor signaling devices,” said Lt. Jared Carbajal, aircraft commander for the rescue. "In addition to always wearing a (personal flotation device) with reflective material, always bring signaling devices every time you go out on the water to increase your chance of survival is something goes wrong. Even if you only plan to be out during daylight, if your vessel becomes disabled, you might find yourself in trouble, in the dark.”

A rescue swimmer hoisted both survivors to the helicopter. They were taken to Elizabeth City to be checked out by paramedics.

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