The Coast Guard Rescue of the SeaBreeze off the Outer Banks: On the Wings of Angels

Discover the true tale of one of the most heroic rescues in Coast Guard history.

On December 17, 2000 Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina performed one of the most heroic rescues in the history of the service. The cruise ship SeaBreeze I was listing, battered by hurricane force winds and 35 foot seas. The ship and the lives of its 34 crewmen were in imminent peril. A rescue helicopter arrived and, seeing that the vessel could capsize at any moment, hoisted 26 of the crew to safety, a record for a single helicopter rescue. A second helicopter, diverted on its way home from a celebration of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, arrived on scene in time to rescue the remaining crew.

Rear Admiral Carlton Moore tells the complete history of this daring rescue, including never-before-printed radio messages from the rescuers.

Rear Admiral Moore served in the United States Coast Guard, both active and reserve, for more than thirty years. In response to the events of 9/11, he served as deputy commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. He had temporary duty overseas on six occasions, including in Japan, Bahrain and Germany. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, among others. He is married and lives near Lake Tahoe in Northern California.