Coast Guard rescues 10 from sinking cargo ship

From KeysNet (link)

Six water-logged seamen and a ship's dog arrived at Key West International Airport aboard a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter early Thursday after a cargo ship capsized and broke apart on Cay Sal Bank.

The 206-foot Mystic went down near the Damas Cays, on the east side of the Cay Sal Bank, about 60 miles from the Florida Keys.

All 10 people aboard the ship were rescued by responding Coast Guard boats and aircraft. A Coast Guard HC-144 helicopter that left from the Marathon airport took part in the rescue.

The Mystic was en route from Miami to Haiti when it began taking on water Wednesday, apparently after striking something. Pumps kept the ship afloat as it moved inside a Damas Cay island, more protected from winds and rough seas.

At 3 a.m. Thursday, the crew reported to Coast Guard Sector Key West that the boat was rolling. The crew abandoned ship aboard life rafts. The helicopter and Coast Guard cutter Nantucket picked up the crewmen. No injuries were reported.

The aging cargo ship "broke into pieces," according to the Coast Guard.

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