Coast Guard rescues mariner after boat starts sinking in San Carlos Bay

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/21/2017 11:11 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Nov. 21, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
(305) 965-4672

Coast Guard rescues mariner after boat starts sinking in San Carlos Bay

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach dewater a 40-foot boat, named Loki, in San Carlos Bay, Florida, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. The Coast Guard was called to rescue the boat and it's owner after the boat took on water in the bay. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach tows a 40-foot boat, named Loki, in San Carlos Bay, Florida, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. The Coast Guard was called to assist the boat’s owner after the boat took on water in the bay. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued a man Tuesday after his boat started sinking in San Carlos Bay.

At 5:51 p.m. watchstanders at Sector St. Petersburg received a call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from a man stating his 40-foot boat, Loki, was taking on water and he was in need of emergency assistance.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, and a 29-foot Response Boat-II crew from Station Fort Myers Beach were launched, arrived on scene and commenced dewatering operations. Once the boatcrews controlled the flooding, they placed the boat in tow, and transported the man and the boat to Gulf Marine.

"The boater did everything right to alert the Coast Guard via channel 16 at the first sign of distress," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlton Kennedy III, an operations specialist at Sector St. Petersburg. "We want to remind everyone to utilize channel 16 for hailing and distress purposes."

There were no reported injuries.

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-USCG-