Coast Guard helicopters Monday rescued 14 of 16 crew members from a replica 18th- century tall ship in the path of Hurricane Sandy 90 miles off the coast of North Carolina.

The search continued for the two missing crew members of the 180-foot three-master HMS Bounty, which sunk in the turbulent ocean about 160 miles from the eye of the hurricane.

Coast Guard officials said a Jayhawk helicopter arrived on the scene about 6:30 a.m. and hoisted five people to safety, and a second helicopter arrived shortly thereafter to rescue nine more crew members.

A third helicopter and a C-130 Hercules aircraft were searching for the two missing crew members.

The ship issued a distress signal late Sunday night after it began taking on water, the Coast Guard said.

Officials said all 16 sailors eventually abandoned the sinking ship, donning cold water survivial suits and life jackets. They also launched two 25-man lifeboats with canopies, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard said 50 mph winds and 18-foot waves hindred the rescue mission.

The HMS Bounty was built for the 1962 version of “Mutiny on the Bounty,” starring Marlon Brando. It was also used in other films, including one of Johnny Depp’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.

The ship visited New England ports this summer and fall, and was headed from New London, Conn., to St. Petersburg, Fla., when it got caught in the hurricane.

—

Details for this story were provided by the Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass., and the U. S. Coast Guard.