An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Press Release | April 26, 2023

UPDATE: Coast Guard rescues 2 boaters near Cape San Blas, Florida

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Office: 504-671-2020 Cell: 618-225-9008

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircrew vectors in the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin to a life raft with 2 overdue boaters aboard, April 25, 2023. A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircrew vectors in the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin to a life raft with 2 overdue boaters aboard, April 25, 2023.

Editor's Note: Click on images to view and download imagery.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard rescued two overdue boaters from a life raft near Cape San Blas, Florida, Tuesday. 

At 3:21 p.m., the aircrew of a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules located a life raft with the two missing boaters aboard. The aircrew then vectored in the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin which embarked the boaters and transported them to awaiting emergency medical personnel.

The boaters were last reported to be in stable condition.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders received the initial call Monday evening from the vessel owner stating his vessel was without power and taking on water.

Sector Mobile watchstanders then coordinated the launch of a Station Panama City boatcrew, the crew of the Dolphin, a Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew, and an Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircrew to search. 

Rescue crews involved in the search were:

  • Coast Guard Sector Mobile
  • Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
  • Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile
  • Coast Guard Station Panama City
  • Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin
  • Air Force Rescue Coordination Center & three U-28 aircraft
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Gulf County Sheriff's Department

For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

-USCG-