WINGATE, Md. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard says a boat that sank in the Chesapeake Bay - sparking the emergency rescue of two dozen passengers including schoolchildren - was in a prohibited area.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class David Marin said by telephone that the boat was in an off-limits area when a distress call went out Wednesday evening. Authorities say boat and helicopter crews were launched but a commercial boat arrived, rescued everyone and took them to shore.
Marin said the area was off-limits because of obstructions in the water.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation owns the boat. The foundation said in a statement that 14 students were among the 23 people who were rescued. Foundation President William Baker declined to comment about the location, saying that would be part of the Coast Guard's investigation.
The Coast Guard said 22 people were rescued. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.
