Image by U.S. Coast Guard A Coast Guard Air Station MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston rescued two boaters off the coast of Charleston, Monday, August 22. The boaters abandoned the 65-foot motor yacht, Magic Castle II (pictured), when the yacht flooded with water and began sinking.

The Coast Guard rescued two boaters who abandoned a sinking motor yacht some 11-miles south of the Charleston Harbor on Monday. 

Rescued were James Kelvin and Henry Bonar. 

Search and rescue controllers at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received notification at about 11:18 p.m., Sunday, from the operator of the Motor Yacht Magic Castle II, via VHF/FM Channel 16, the international maritime distress signal, that the vessel was taking on water at a high rate of speed.

An MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston and a Coast Guard Station Charleston 25-foot response boat-small were launched. Both men abandoned the sinking yacht as the helicopter rescue crew arrived on scene.

The yacht sustained significant damage and will be salvaged by a commercial salvage company. There is currently no indication of fuel pollution as a result of the damage. The boat was headed from Charleston to Jacksonville, Florida.