MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two American sailors who whose sailboat ran aground about 25 miles north of Gibara, Cuba on Friday.
Coast Guard officials were notified of the emergency when they received a distress signal from the 39-foot sailboat.
A Coast Guard aircrew rescued the men from the sailboat and took them to Matthew Town, Great Inagua.
"This case highlights the tremendous importance of having the proper life saving equipment onboard," said Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Somma, Coast Guard 7th District public affairs officer. "This critical piece of boating equipment likely saved the lives of these two sailors."
Coast Guard officials said the boat, dubbed "Boxer," sustained significant damage.
The sailboat had departed from Puerto Rico Monday en route to Key West. It ran aground in Bahamian waters.
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