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Man Rescued After Treading Water for 4 Hours off Cape May

A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a man overboard off the coast of Cape May Saturday night, officials said.

About 10 p.m., officials said the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a mayday call from a recreational vessel that a 45-year-old man was overboard about 44 miles east of Cape May.

The Coast Guard launched a C-130 "Hercules" aircraft from the Elizabeth City, N.C. Air Station and an MH-65 "Dolphin" helicopter from the Atlantic City Air Station, as well as a boat crew from the Cape May Coast Guard Station, for the rescue. They located the man -- who had been treading water for four hours -- and threw him a life preserver so he could get back onto his boat until the rescue crew could take him for medical help.

When the helicopter arrived, crews hoisted the man aboard and flew him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City for treatment.

"The incredible teamwork and coordination between multiple Coast Guard assets and the Maersk Wesport proved vital in locating and medevacing the survivor despite intense thunderstorms and darkness," said Tamara Whalen, a helicopter pilot who flew the case. "Each member was critical to insuring the safe return of the survivor to his family."

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