Coast Guard rescues 6 off SE Alabama coast

PERDIDO BEACH, Ala. - April 30, 2012 (WPVI) -- The Coast Guard says one of its crews rescued five adults and a 13-year-old boy from the water after their 32-foot vessel sank south of Perdido Beach.

Coast Guard officials said in a news release that crews responded after receiving a mayday call at about 1:15 p.m. Sunday from the vessel's owner that it was sinking.

A Coast Guard cutter was launched from Mobile, Ala., about 50 miles to the northwest, while a 45-foot-response boat was dispatched from Pensacola, Fla.

The small boat crew was first on the scene and spotted a distress flare fired by one of the persons in the water. The crew rescued the six, all of whom were wearing lifejackets. They were transported to Coast Guard Station Pensacola.

Petty Officer 1st Class Hillary Herbst said the use of radios, flares, lifejackets and other safety equipment greatly aids rescue efforts.

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u.s. coast guard, rescue, national/world

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