Chopper sent to rescue 17 who abandoned HMS Bounty

Jeff Haynes / AFP - Getty Images, file The HMS Bounty, a replica used in the Marlon Brando movie "Mutiny on the Bounty," sails past the Chicago skyline in this image from July 2003. By NBC News staff Updated at 9:15 a.m. ET: A helicopter rescue operation was under way Monday for 17 people who abandoned the HMS Bounty as the ship was sinking off the coast of North Carolina, the U.S. Coast Guard said. "Our helicopter has arrived on scene and the hoisting operation is under way," according to one Coast Guard official. The ship issued a distress signal late Sunday after taking on water, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The owner of the 180-foot, three mast ship -- which was built for the 1962 Marlon Brando movie, "Mutiny on the Bounty" -- lost communication with the crew and alerted the Coast Guard to the situation. The Coast Guard then received a distress signal from the ship showing its position. It sent out an aircraft to speak with the crew, which reported that the vessel was taking on water and had no propulsion. It was located about 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, N.C. "The 17 person crew donned cold water survival suits and life jackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies," the Coast Guard said earlier in a statement. The ship, which is still floating upright and intact, is surrounded by 18-foot seas and 40 mph winds as Hurricane Sandy moves through the area. Glimpse into maritime history The Bounty makes frequent trips around the country, offering a glimpse into maritime history, according to the ship's website. It was originally a British transport vessel, and the replica has appeared in several films, including the 2006 movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," with Johnny Depp. Its last stop before its winter hiatus in Galveston, Texas, was to be in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Nov. 10. Sandy strengthens as it bears down on eastern US It is unclear why the boat set out to sea with Sandy bearing down. Sandy could be the largest storm ever to hit the United States, according to NOAA's website. TODAY's Al Roker reports from Point Pleasant, N.J., where water is starting to come over the dunes as Hurricane Sandy strengthens. Due to the full moon, high tides are expected to add to the storm surge, which could rise to 11 feet. The storm strengthened overnight off the mid-Atlantic coast and is expected to bring a "life-threatening storm surge" to affected areas. BreakingNews.com's coverage of Hurricane Sandy Maximum sustained winds of about 85 miles per hour were recorded 385 miles southeast of New York City, which forecasters warned could be hit by a wall of water up to 11 feet high. The storm was forecast to make landfall Monday night, likely in central or southern New Jersey. In anticipation of widespread damage and vast power outages, states of emergency were declared in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. NBC News' Rachel Elbaum and Jim Miklaszewski contributed to this report. More content from NBCNews.com: Navy commander sent home amid investigation Forecasters: Sandy 'one for the record books' Small earthquake rattles buildings in LA area N.C. residents aghast over toxic drinking water Florida teen accused of killing mom, boyfriend in bed Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook