Coast Guard works to free grounded fishing trawler near Oregon Inlet, N.C.

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OREGON INLET, N.C. - Coast Guard crews continue to work on freeing the grounded fishing trawler Sheila Rene Saturday near the Oregon Inlet Bar.

An Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted the 77-foot trawler's three crewmembers and dog to safety Saturday morning as conditions worsened for them. After the crew was hoisted to safety around 7 a.m. the trawler came free and re-grounded at around 9 a.m.

Friday night the Sheila Rene's crew contacted Sector North Carolina watchstanders on VHF channel 16 requesting help after their trawler grounded on the bar.  The watchstanders dispatched a Station Oregon Inlet 47-foot rescue boat crew at about 11:30 p.m. to dislodge the Sheila Rene, but were unable to free them.

Conditions worsened for the crew overnight and the Coast Guard deemed it unsafe for them to stay on the grounded trawler.

(U.S. Coast Guard video by Air Station Elizabeth City)