PHOTO: All smiles after rescue

The Coast Guard rescued Carroll McCain (65) and Thomas Hayne (51) on April 20 from a life raft 37 miles southeast of Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos.

A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew arrived on scene, hoisting and safely transferring them to Turks and Caicos authorities with no medical concerns.

Coast Guard 7th District Command Center watchstanders received a personal location beacon alert after their sailboat struck a submerged object forcing them to abandon ship.

“This case really highlights the importance of having emergency equipment on board,” said Lt. Caleigh Cobb, 7th District command duty officer. “The activation of the personal locator beacon was critical to Air Station Borinquen’s ability to quickly locate and recover all individuals from the life raft.”

The owner of the sail vessel will coordinate commercial salvage operations to remove the vessel from the water. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)