CALABASH, N.C. - Twenty-six people were rescued by two good Samaritans 17 miles east of Little River, S.C., at around 9:28 a.m. Wednesday.

The Miss Calabash II, a 41-foot vessel for hire, departed Calabash Wednesday morning for a 12-hour trip. The vessel caught fire while underway and personnel sent a distress call for help before abandoning ship.

Coast Guard helicopters from Air Facility Charleston, S.C., and Air Station Savannah, Ga., and Coast Guard small boats from Station Georgetown, S.C., and Station Oak Island N.C. all launched to assist the 26 people. Before they arrived on scene, all 26 people in the water were spotted and rescued by the vessels Fisher of Men and Jester.

"This case show the importance of having a VHF marine radio onboard when you go out on the water," said Lt. Cmdr. Eric King, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Charleston. "Once the distress call was made, the two vessels were able to quickly rescue the passengers and crew from the water and notify the Coast Guard."

All passengers and crew were taken back to Calabash by the good Samaritans in good condition.  The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Video - To download video of the vessel fire, right-click here and choose "save target as."

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