Coast Guard Rescues Two Men From Sinking Ship In Gulf

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Two men were rescued over the weekend after their boat began taking on water in the Gulf Of Mexico.

The Coast Guard base in Key West said they received a distress signal from the Ondego, which was located about 30 miles northwest of Marquesas Key. They made contact with a crew member who said the ship's sails had torn and the hull had cracked in a storm. He added they were adrift and the ship was taking on water.

Coast Guard Air Station Miami launched a Dolphin helicopter crew that located the vessel and hoisted both men onboard to safety. They were flown to Key West International Airport where emergency medical personnel were waiting.

"These were the worst conditions my crew and I have ever experienced in the Gulf of Mexico," said Lt. Matthew Swanner, aircraft commander.

Weather at the time of the rescue was 40-knot winds and 20-foot seas.