CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crew rescued four boaters after their 24-foot vessel capsized approximately 26 miles west of Clearwater, Tuesday.
The four boaters were in stable condition and safely transported to awaiting emergency medical service personnel at Station Sand Key.
An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew located the boaters aboard their capsized vessel in 2 to 3-foot seas and 5-10 knot winds at 7:15 a.m., Tuesday. The aircrew deployed a life raft and a Mk-58 marine location marker to vector the boat crew to the vessel's location.
A family member reported the overdue vessel to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 9:08 p.m., Monday.
“Through the efforts of multiple Coast Guard crews and partner agencies we were able to safely recover the missing boaters and reunite them with their loved ones,” said Ensign Gaige Garrett, Operational Unit Controller at Sector St Petersburg Command Center. “We want to remind anyone going out on the water to have all necessary safety equipment to include Coast Guard approved life jackets, VHF radio, signaling devices and an emergency position locator beacon or personal locator beacon.”
Our Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders maintain a continuous watch while monitoring VHF Channel 16 and direct coordination with partner agencies to deploy Coast Guard assets at a moments notice for emergent search and rescue cases.
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