Coast Guard saves people and pets off Carolina coast

Miles Ruder,

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people and pets off the Carolina coast this week.

β€œIt’s my first dog and my first cat. I’m stoked to get them on the same case here so it was awesome,” U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer James Butz said.

Butz has been a rescue swimmer for four years, but Tuesday’s rescue was a first-time experience for him. Two passengers were saved along with their cat and dog.

β€œI think it’s a rite of passage for every rescue swimmer to be able to get some pets,” Butz.

Butz was part of the four person Coast Guard helicopter crew that was paged out early Tuesday morning by the passengers of a 40-foot catamaran in distress about 65 miles off Cape Hatteras.

β€œIt was about 30 to 40 mile an hour winds. It was about 10 to 15 foot seas,” Butz said.

Once they got on scene, Butz hopped in the water, swam to the boat where two people and their cat and dog were waiting for him.

β€œWe elected to have the first survivor take the cat with them, so we ended up putting the cat in a dry bag to keep it safe,” Butz said. β€œAnd then after that, I swam back to the boat and the second survivor was ready to go. And this one had a dog. So, again, they were well prepared. The dog had flotation on as well, so it made our job super easy.”

A team effort that makes a rescue like this possible, Butz in the water, the pilots keeping the helicopter steady, and a flight mechanic lowering and bringing everybody into the helicopter.

β€œIt’s a team effort. It’s why we train so hard all the time,” Butz said.

Butz also credits the people on the boat for being prepared to call for help, using an Emergency Positioning Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on board.

β€œHaving a working EPIRB like these people did, having proper flotation is very key to safety,” Butz said.

For Butz and the crew, an unforgettable experience being able to answer a call on this day and every day.

β€œWe do it for a reason. It gives us purpose. To be able to go down and help those and their worst time, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Butz said. β€œI’m glad they get to spend New Year’s dry and safe. It’s a great way to ring in the new year.”