GALVESTON, Texas – Two boaters who were reported missing by the U.S. Coast Guard were found safe Saturday evening.
Officials said the boaters, Karl Shram and Chris Bergeron, are from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Shram and Bergeron reportedly left Lake Charles aboard a 42-foot boat. Officials said their departure time was unknown.
The Coast Guard said the men used their satellite phone to make a distress call to the International Emergency Response Coordination Center.
The IERCC called Rescue Coordination Center New Orleans around 10:30 a.m., which then notified Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders, officials said. The dispatch center said the boaters said they were sinking fast and were planning to swim to the nearest oil rig.
A Coast Guard cutter, airplane and helicopter were launched to search for the men. Officials said an urgent marine information broadcast was issued to alert mariners in the area who may be able to help in the search.
Authorities said Shram and Bergeron were found safe around 6:30 p.m. Saturday over 50 miles off shore. The Coast Guard spotted them after receiving a call from them.
The two called for help from their satellite light phone. The Coast Guard told the men to turn on their emergency radio with GPS, which is how they were found, authorities said.
One person was dehydrated, but the two men are expected to be OK.