'Miraculous' Rescue After 20 Hours at Sea

Sept. 7, 2010— -- Roger Gouge and his family have the keen eyes of young Coast Guard officer to thank for their rescue after spending nearly 20 hours in dangerous waters off the South Carolina coast this weekend clinging to a cooler, trying to stay alive after their boat sank.

The four men and three children -- 15-year-old Tylor Gouge, 14-year-old Caleb Gouge and 5-year-old Xander Gouge -- set out Saturday morning for a holiday weekend outing. But shortly after, the engine compartment of their 38-foot powerboat flooded and the boat began to sink. The Coast Guard is still investigating why.

They placed a quick mayday call, put on life vests and got in the water. As the hours passed, jellyfish stung them and the blistering sun beat down on their faces and arms. Then the cold, chilly night set in.

Then finally, just before dawn Sunday, a young Coast Guard officer, using night vision goggles, spotted them. The shipwrecked seven were flown to a local hospital and treated. All have now been released, according to the Coast Guard.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ben Rosen had been scouring the sea for nearly six straight hours. The moon was barely out, his helicopter was running out of fuel and was about to return to shore when the 22-year-old spotted something in the ocean.

On the final search, "I was able to spot out the left side of the helicopter, what looked like a debris field," Rosen told ABC News. He called it a "lucky glimpse" that turned into a successful rescue.

"When we found them, all of us were ecstatic" Rosen said. "It's pretty incredible because you never think you're going to be that person. It's the crew that's completing the mission. But it's pretty awesome to be that one person who actually spots them."

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