Coast Guard Rescues Man and Dog Near Winyah Bay

Helicopter crew responds to grounded vessel in Georgetown County estuary

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog after their 37-foot sailing vessel ran aground near Winyah Bay in Georgetown County, South Carolina. The rescue was captured on video, with the Coast Guard crediting the man's use of a working VHF radio to call for help.

Why it matters

Boating accidents and groundings can quickly become dangerous, especially in estuaries with shifting conditions and hazards like rocks. The Coast Guard's swift response and rescue capabilities are critical for ensuring the safety of mariners in distress.

The details

The Coast Guard received a call around 6:16 p.m. on Friday that the man's sailing vessel had run aground on the rocks near Winyah Bay. A helicopter crew was dispatched and successfully rescued the man and his dog, transporting them to the Georgetown Airport with no reported injuries.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • The Coast Guard received the distress call around 6:16 p.m.

The players

U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and marine safety agency of the United States.

Lt. Josh Hamilton

A pilot at Coast Guard Air Station Savannah who commented on the rescue.

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What they’re saying

“Our crews train extensively to respond to situations like this, and we're grateful the mariner had a working VHF radio to call for help. Running aground can quickly become dangerous, especially near rocks and shifting conditions.”

— Lt. Josh Hamilton, Coast Guard Air Station Savannah Pilot (WMBF News)

What’s next

The Coast Guard will likely review the incident and continue training to ensure their crews are prepared to respond effectively to future boating emergencies in the Winyah Bay area.

The takeaway

This rescue highlights the importance of boaters being equipped with proper communication devices and continuously monitoring emergency channels, as it can mean the difference between life and death when facing dangerous situations on the water.