Boating; Coast Guard rescues 4 near Clearwater Pass, Fla.
http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1888001/
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Four people were rescued by the Coast Guard after their 23-foot recreational boat capsized eight miles west of Clearwater Pass, Sunday.
A person aboard the boat contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 9:48 a.m., via VHF-FM radio channel 16, yelling Mayday several times.
"Using Rescue 21's fixed postion we were able to pinpoint their location of distress," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, a search and rescue coordinator at the sector.
Sector watchstanders launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Sand Key to the scene of distress. Once on scene, the boatcrew plucked four mariners from the water. Their vessel has been marked as a hazard to navigation, but no pollution concerns have been reported.
"Thankfully, all four were wearing their life jackets," said Leavell. "This case could of turned out much differently if they didn't take proper precautions."
All four where taken to Station Sand Key for a post incident debriefing. No injuries were reported.
*** Editors Note - Click thumbnail below to hear audio of the distress call.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Four people were rescued by the Coast Guard after their 23-foot recreational boat capsized eight miles west of Clearwater Pass, Sunday.
A person aboard the boat contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 9:48 a.m., via VHF-FM radio channel 16, yelling Mayday several times.
"Using Rescue 21's fixed postion we were able to pinpoint their location of distress," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, a search and rescue coordinator at the sector.
Sector watchstanders launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Sand Key to the scene of distress. Once on scene, the boatcrew plucked four mariners from the water. Their vessel has been marked as a hazard to navigation, but no pollution concerns have been reported.
"Thankfully, all four were wearing their life jackets," said Leavell. "This case could of turned out much differently if they didn't take proper precautions."
All four where taken to Station Sand Key for a post incident debriefing. No injuries were reported.
*** Editors Note - Click thumbnail below to hear audio of the distress call.
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