Coast Guard rescues overdue jet skier in Fort Walton Beach Area

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/25/2017 01:21 PM EDT

united states coast guard

News Release  

June 25, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: (504) 671-2020
After Hours: (618) 225-9008


Coast Guard rescues overdue jet skier in Fort Walton Beach Area

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued a person in the water near Fort Walton Beach, Saturday.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report of an overdue 24-year-old male jet-skier at 10:49 p.m. The man was reported to have fallen in the water at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Coast Guard Station Destin launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, which located the male and transferred him to emergency medical services.

The boat crew who rescued the man heard a single faint call for help while conducting a search pattern. The man reportedly fell off of his jet-ski and spent approximately seven hours floating in the Choctawhatchee Bay.

This case of successful life-jacket usage is why the Coast Guard continues to emphasis the importance of wearing proper floatation devices.

Involved in the search was:

  • Coast Guard Station Destin 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew
  • Okaloosa County Sheriff Department

-USCG-