viernes, 26 de abril de 2019

Coast Guard rescues 2 overdue near Big Coppitt Key

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist Jospeh Feldman (archive).

MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued two overdue boaters near Big Coppitt Key, Tuesday.

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received notification of two teenagers on an overdue 16-foot skiff who were supposed to return to shore before sunset. The boat had no navigation lights or radio onboard. Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 helicopter crew to respond.​

The helicopter crew arrived on scene, located the two waving, hoisted them and took them to Key West International Airport with no reported injuries.​ The owner will make arrangements to go back out and retrieve the anchored vessel.

"It's important that people have all the right safety equipment, comms equipment, and a float plan when going out on the water," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Weaver, command duty officer at Sector Key West. "Utilizing the proper tools in a search and rescue situation, particularly at night, can exponentially increase our chances of rescuing someone."

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-USCG-