2 men rescued from boat off Georgia coast

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – Two fishermen were rescued early Saturday Morning off Jekyll Island after their 55-foot boat ran aground and began taking on water, according to the Coast Guard.

William Collins, 55, and 25-year-old Josh Carter used a VHF-FM marine radio to report to the Coast Guard in Charleston at 3:49 a.m. that the vessel, Little D, lost engine power before running aground in 3-foot breakers and was beginning to take on water.

When Coast Guard officials were attempting to gather more information, they lost communication with Collins and Carter, according to officials.

They immediately launched a boat from Coast Guard Station Brunswick and a helicopter from Air Station Savannah.

A Georgia State trooper who also assisted from shore got to the vessel before Coast Guard crews and reported that Little D was still intact with both men aboard.

The area was too shallow for the Station Brunswick boat to come alongside so when the helicopter crew arrived on scene shortly after, they hoisted Collins and Carter and took them to Jekyll Island Airport, where EMTs were waiting.

Medical personnel determined the men were not in need of medical treatment.

Coast Guard pollution responders from Marine Safety Unit Savannah were assessing the pollution threat Saturday morning.

The Little D reportedly has about 300 gallons of diesel fuel on board, but it does not appear to be leaking.