Two people were rescued from the Shallotte Inlet after they flat-bottomed skiff capsized Sunday. The Coast Guard rescued the two after getting the call of the boaters in distress at 12:15 p.m.
Officials say the two people were clinging to their capsized boat with the help of life preservers, which officials say helped save their lives. Fortunately, the Coast Guard says they were already in the area where the boaters were in trouble.
"It was definitely a good thing that we were already on patrol in the area where the boat capsized," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Leonard Posluszny, the coxswain aboard the RB-S from Station Oak Island. "We found the two people clinging onto the overturned vessel. Once we got them onto the boat, we brought them inside, closed all the windows and turned the heat on to warm the people who were showing signs of hypothermia."
The Coast Guard says hypothermia is a bigger risk this time of year.
"Boaters need to be extra vigilant this time of year as air and water temperatures have dropped dramatically," said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina commander. "Hypothermia can set in very quickly so boaters need to prepare appropriately for the cold weather."
