Island Free Press ...Local News

At approximately 8:35 p.m. on the stormy night of Monday, Oct. 27, Motor Lifeboat Station Hatteras Inlet was informed by U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina of a 50-foot sailing vessel that was in distress and in need of assistance. A fast developing coastal storm was beginning to bring high winds and high seas to the waters of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The Sailing Vessel Moondance reported that they were hit broadside by a rogue wave, causing damage and disabling both main engines. All four crewmembers were slammed to the deck, and two suffered minor and major injuries.

A 47-foot motor lifeboat (MLB) departed Hatteras and started on a 20-mile journey into the teeth of the storm. An HH-60 rescue helicopter from Elizabeth City was also enroute to assist.

Once on scene, the MLB reported winds in excess of 40 knots and seas ranging from 10 to 15 feet high. The MLB crew battled fierce seas and high winds, but was able to attach a towline to the drifting Moondance. BM1 Seth Osterfeld, the Heavy Weather Coxswain in charge of the MLB, and his crew used every bit of skill and ingenuity they had and were soon towing the stricken catamaran towards the relative safety of Pamlico Sound.

More than eight hours later, at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, both vessels were moored at MLB Station Hatteras Inlet, despite Mother Nature’s efforts. The sailing vessel crew was taken in like family, warmed up, and received a hot meal from the station’s galley staff.

Duty drivers took the two injured crew members to HealthEast Family Care in Hatteras village, where they received treatment for their injuries and were released.

This Search and Rescue case brought the heritage and tradition of the U. S. Life-Saving Service of the early 1900s to life.

“As a service, we look to the past for guidance,” remarked BMC Erik Watson, the Executive Petty Officer. “The entire crew could not have done a better job. Last night we saved four strangers in peril. We brought them into our home, their house of refuge from the storm. I could not be more proud of our crew.”

The sailing vessel’s home port is Buffalo, N.Y., and the crew was headed to Florida. Moondance will remain moored at Station Hatteras Inlet until the weather subsides and the crew can complete their journey.