ONLY ON 3: Local family rescued after boat sinks

WILMINGTON (WWAY) – Three members of the Sykes Family of Wilmington and five of their friends were rescued when their fishing boat sank off of Cape Lookout Friday.

Ricky Sykes, who owns the local Ram Jack franchise, says seas were swelling at more than nine feet when the 41-foot “Reel Time” went down. His son Brad and daughter Lindsey were also on board.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy worked together in the rescue. The Coast Guard says it started heading towards the “Reel Time” in less than ten minutes after the distress call came in and was on location within an hour.

The Sykes and their friends were participating in the Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament in Beaufort.

None chose to go to the hospital.

Joe is talking with Ricky this afternoon and will share his horrific story with your tonight on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 11.