Coast Guard saves 2 from leaky vessel near Virginia Beach

PORTSMOUTH, VA (AP) — The Coast Guard says two people are safe after their boat started leaking about five miles out from Virginia Beach.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Castellow says in a statement that the Army Corps of Engineers played a key role in the rescue Sunday morning by relaying the disabled boat’s position after its power failed.

He says the boaters called the Coast Guard at Hampton Roads shortly before 9 a.m. saying their vessel was taking on water.

Rescuers used a 45-foot boat, backed up by a Coast Guard helicopter from the Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Castellow says the Virginia Beach Fire Department and Virginia Marine Police assisted at the scene.

He says the boaters were transferred to the Coast Guard vessel, and their boat was towed to a Norfolk marina.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)