Coast Guard boat overturns in NY inlet; crew swims to safety

NEW YORK (AP) - Authorities say a Coast Guard vessel overturned after it was sent to assist a fishing boat that ran aground in an inlet off New York City.

The crew of the Coast Guard vessel and those aboard the fishing boat made it safely to shore early Thursday. No serious injuries were reported in the incident off Queens.

The Coast Guard says five crew members swam ashore after its 25-foot rescue boat capsized in rough water in the East Rockaway Inlet. The crew was wearing protective gear. It's not clear how far they swam.

The Coast Guard was answering a distress call at 2 a.m. from a 76-foot fishing boat, the Carolina Queen III. The fishing boat initially was taking on water. Its crew got that under control, and then went into the inlet and ran aground. All seven of its occupants made it safely ashore.