5 people rescued by Coast Guard

Published 11:23 pm Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Five men were rescued Sunday by the Coast Guard after their fishing boat became submerged in water on the southern side of Ship Island.

None of the boaters suffered serious injuries.

As the boat began to take on water, one of the men managed to make a call from his cell phone just before officials say a wave knocked the phone out his hand. The boater called his father, who notified authorities.

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Authorities used a helicopter to locate the men during a short search.

Petty Officer Patrick Hedden says the men were in a 21-foot boat heading out to fish near Chandeleur Island when the boat began take on water.

The names of the five boaters were not released.