Fishermen rescued near Scots Bay by helicopter, waterproof phone

Two fishermen found their waterproof mobile phonebecame a lifeline Thursday afternoon in Scots Bay, N.S.

Around 3:00 p.m., the men's 4.3 metre aluminum fishing boat capsized off the shore of the Kings County community.

"The guys were definitely prepared," Joint Task Force Atlantic spokesmanLt. Len Hickey said that evening.

"At least they had the foresight to have the phone with them, and waterproof. It could have saved their life."

When theycalled 911, Halifax's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre dispatched a Cormorant helicopter from nearby 14 Wing Greenwood,the naval officer said.

The centre staff kept the men on the phone, Hickey said,"to keep them calm,reassuredthat the helicopter was en route, just to hang on a little longer."

The men, who are locals, were brought on shore to a waitingambulance.

"Whenever you take two fishermen in an overturned boat out in the water, I mean, that's success," Hickey said.