domingo, 8 de julio de 2018

Coast Guard, good Samaritan rescue sinking boater near John's Pass

HC-130 Hercules, photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle
SAND KEY, Fla. — The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued a boater Saturday after his 21-foot boat started to sink 21 miles west of John's Pass.

At 11:36 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a Mayday via VHF-FM radio channel 16 from the distressed boater.

Watchstanders diverted an Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crew, launched a boatcrew aboard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Sand Key and issued anUrgent Marine Information Broadcast via VHF-FM radio channel 16.

At about 1:25 p.m., the Hercules aircrew located the distressed boater and dropped a dewatering pump. A good Samaritan responded to the UMIB and helped the operator dewater his boat.

The RBM boatcrew arrived at 2:42 p.m., completed the dewatering, and towed the boat to the Seminole Boat Ramp.

No injuries were reported.

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-USCG-