HMS Bounty Crew Abandons Ship; Coast Guard Rescue Attempt Ongoing

The U. S. Coast Guard rescued 14 crew members from life rafts today while still searching for two more off the coast of North Carolina's Outer Banks, the USCG said.

The Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a call on Sunday from the owner of the HMS Bounty, a 180-foot, three-mast tall ship (which was used in the film "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1962 as well as "Pirates of the Caribbean").

The 14 people rescued are being taken to Air Station Elizabeth City where emergency medical personnel are waiting for them.

As for the two still missing crew members, the Coast Guard has a C-130 Hercules aircraft remaining on the scene. A third crew is on the way to help with the search.

The ship's troubles came in the midst of Hurricane Sandy, which at the time of the ship's initial distress was producing 40 mph winds and waves as tall as 18 feet. The vessel lost power and began to take on water.

With the storm still battering the coast, rescuers have donned special survival suits and are using boats with canopies to help shelter from the storm's winds and rain.