Coast Guard, partner agencies assists disabled, overdue vessel west of Caladesi Island

MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, Air Station Clearwater, Florida. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo (archive).

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard assisted a disabled and overdue vessel Monday off the coast of Caladesi Island.

Four children and four adults were assisted.

FWC located four children and two adults on Caladesi Island. They were transported to Seminole boat ramp.​

At 9:37 p.m.,​ Coast Guard Sector​ St. Petersburg​ command center watchstanders were notified of an overdue 21-foot vessel with two people aboard who went offshore fishing after dropping six people off on Caladesi Island.​

A Coast Guard Station Sand Key​ 45-foot Response Boat – Medium​ (RBM) crew, an​ Air Station Clearwater​ MH-60 Jayhawk​ aircraft crew, FWC boat and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter launched to search and assist.

Sector St. Pete watchstanders received a mayday call from the​ vessel and directed the RBM crew to the location.

At 10:54 p.m., the RBM crew located the two people on the disabled vessel​ and towed them to Seminole boat ramp.

"The boaters used their VHF marine radio to contact our watchstanders who then notified us of their location”​ said Petty Officer 2nd Class Casey Goward, the officer of the day on the case.​ “The boaters were well prepared and our partner agencies played a vital role in reuniting both parties."

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Coast Guard rescues man 170 miles west of St. Petersburg

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater, Florida, rescues a man from a 120-foot tug 170 miles west of St. Petersburg, Florida, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. The 57-year-old man was reportedly suffering from chest pains and was transferred to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The​ Coast Guard rescued​ a 57-year-old man Thursday 170 miles west of St. Petersburg.

Coast Guard Sector​ St. Petersburg command center watchstanders received a call via satellite phone at 1:24 p.m. from the master of the Mariya Moran, a 120-foot tug, stating a crew member was suffering from chest pains and was in need of medical attention.

A​ Coast Guard Air Station​ Clearwater​ MH-60​ Jayhawk helicopter​ crew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew launched to assist and arrived at 4 p.m.

The Jayhawk crew hoisted the man and transported him to​ Tampa General Hospital​ at 5:42 p.m.

“This case happened a long way from shore and thankfully they had a satellite phone aboard,” said Lt. j.g. Richard Laws, crew member at the Sector St. Petersburg command center. “They were professional mariners with the proper equipment aboard that allowed them to communicate the nature of distress to the Coast Guard.”

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Coast Guard rescues 2 boaters, 1 dog 6 miles southwest of Fenhalloway River

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two men and a dog Tuesday in Apalachee Bay.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a report Tuesday from Taylor County 911 dispatch stating two people and a dog were in distress approximately 5 miles south of Rock Island.

Watchstanders dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater to assist. The aircrew located the overturned vessel 6 miles southwest of Fenhalloway River with the survivors clinging to the hull of the overturned vessel.

The aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer and hoisted the men and a dog into the helicopter. The aircrew transported the survivors to Tallahassee International Airport where Leon County EMS were awaiting to provide further care and transport.

Mild hypothermia like symptoms were reported.

“Thankfully the survivors were wearing life jackets," said Joe Mathieu, a search and rescue coordinator. “Having the proper safety equipment aboard your vessel and wearing the correct clothing, especially in cold weather, can make the difference if something unexpected happens while out on the water .”

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