Coast Guard assists 4 boaters 6 miles south west of Sanibel Island, Fla.

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Nov. 04, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672

VIDEO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard assists 4 boaters 6 miles south west of Sanibel Island, Fla.

                                                    U.S. Coast Guard crewmembers aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Fort Myers Beach, Florida, assist four mariners Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, aboard a disabled 21-foot boat approximately 6 miles south west of Sanibel Island, Florida. The boaters were having mechanical issues and taking on water, so they were towed to Sanibel Marina. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

Editor's Note: Click on the image to download video.

 

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.  — The Coast Guard assisted four mariners Saturday aboard a disabled 21-foot boat approximately 6 miles south west of Sanibel Island.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Command Center received a mayday call via VHF-FM marine-band radio channel 16 at 7:33 p.m. from a boater stating he was taking on water, experiencing mechanical issues and in need of emergency assistance.

The watchstanders directed a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Fort Myers Beach to divert and assist.

The boatcrew found the mariners disabled and taking on water. They took the vessel in tow to Sanibel Marina at approximately 8:20 p.m.

"This is an excellent example of how important it is for mariners to have a working VHF-FM radio aboard their vessel,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Miller, a crewmember at Station Fort Myers Beach. “Being able to communicate immediately with rescue personnel is critical during emergency situations.”

No injuries were reported.

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-USCG-