On Monday night, a man was rescued after his boat was found washed ashore in North Carolina.
A man was stranded in the ocean for five hours in dangerous conditions. But he survived and was rescued after search crews heard his cries for help.
The man launched an inflatable catamaran sailboat off Nags Head, North Carolina's Harvey public sound access on the South Croatan Highway. The boat later washed ashore north of the access at Jockey's Ridge State Park but there was no sign of the sailor.
With strong winds, two to three feet of swell and cold water, "the situation was very serious," according to Nags Head Fire Rescue.
A rescue boat was deployed and crews initiated a search grid.
They eventually heard someone yelling from the water and were able to safely bring him aboard the vessel in less than an hour from being called to the scene.
He was responsive and they were able to quickly provide medical care.
Dare County EMS met them at a boat ramp and transported him to Outer Banks Hospital.
Coast Guard crews recovered what remained of his vessel.
"This case serves as a reminder to the public: life jackets SAVE LIVES, and to plan your voyages according to the weather," the USCG said.
