The rescue occurred on Monday, May 18 near Oak Island, N.C.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/oak-island-nc-boat-rescue-2-052026-4df40db424ae4f18a3dc6007dc3e8a07.jpg "Four People and Dog Rescued After Boat Capsizes Near N.C. Island")
Credit: Town of Oak Island
NEED TO KNOW
- Four people and their dog were rescued after their boat capsized at Lockwoods Folly Inlet at 2:06 p.m. local time on Monday, May 18, near Oak Island, N.C.
- Two people and the dog were rescued by a bystander on another boat, while Oak Island Water Rescue pulled the other two boaters from the water
- The boaters were evaluated for “minor” injuries, and it remains unclear why the boat capsized
Four people and their dog were rescued after their boat capsized near Oak Island, N.C., on Monday, May 18.
The four individuals and their dog were rescued with the help of a bystander's boat and Oak Island Water Rescue crews near Lockwoods Folly Inlet at 2:06 p.m. local time, Oak Island officials wrote in a statement on social media.
Oak Island's Mobile Drone Control Unit assisted in rescuing two boaters from the water, while the other two boaters and the dog were assisted by a bystander.
Authorities identified the capsized boat as a 19-foot Carolina Skiff and noted that the boat was briefly stuck in the sandbar before crews were able to remove it, according to the statement.
Credit: Town of Oak Island
Brunswick County EMS evaluated the boaters for "minor, non-life-threatening injuries," according to the statement from Oak Island officials.
It is unclear at this time what caused the boat to capsize.
Credit: Town of Oak Island
"The Town of Oak Island and the Fire Department sincerely thank all of the mutual aid partners for the unified effort in this response, which included Oak Island Water Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oak Island, Tri-Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Brunswick County EMS, and the Oak Island Police Department," the statement from town officials read.
Credit: Town of Oak Island
The statement went on to note "a reminder on the importance of having U.S.C.G. approved life jackets and floatation devices for all passengers and crew on board, and in a readily accessible area; or better, actively worn when traversing rough waters such as an inlet."
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PEOPLE has reached out to the Oak Island Police Department and the Oak Island Fire Department.