PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class John Calhoun escorts Rob LoFtis and Robert Smith from the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to the hanger at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., Aug. 20, 2011.

LoFtis and Smith were hoisted from their life raft after their 43-foot recreational boat, Reel Escape, sank 45 miles east of Oregon Inlet, N.C.

U.S. Coast Guard photo