‘Really Lucky’ — Three Rescued from Sailboat in Ocean

The Coast Guard rescued three people off an overturned sailboat 20 miles off Portsmouth Friday afternoon that was well prepared for an emergency.

An emergency location transmission from an EPIRB was received from the 42 foot catamarand sailboat Triad around 4:20 p.m., according to Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer Amanda Wyrick told Seacoast Current. A helicopter was launched from Cape Cod and a response boat sent from Portsmouth to the transmission location where three adults were found clinging to the hull of the Triad, Wyrick said.

"They were able to safely hoist all three people into the helicopter and bring them to Pease Air National Guard where they were dropped off," Wyrick said.

Staying on the boat was the best thing for the thee to do as it is biggest target for rescuers to see, according to Wyrick.

No one was injured on the boat. The boat itself was left in the water and marked off so other mariners are aware of its presence. Its owner is working with a commercial salvage company to have it removed.

"They did all the right things. Having the EPIRB, having it registered, they're really lucky. Definately a win. Three people get to go home tonight," Wyrick said

Wyrick said it was an ongoing investigation into what caused the boat to overturn.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH