Coast Guard officials are praising an Elkridge man for using a marine band radio Thursday to alert emergency responders after his vessel caught fire off near Gibson Island.

Officials rescued Jeff Overstreet, his sons Tyler, 16, and Justin, 12, along with two of their friends, from the boat when fire broke out suddenly in the engine.

Overstreet had the radio handy and immediately turned it to Channel 16, the distress channel, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill, Coast Guard spokesman.

"He did everything he should have," Hill said.

Most boaters in danger call from cell phones, which aren't always...