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| 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.
-USCG-
