Coast Guard rescues 2 after canoes sink

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/15/2018 06:29 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
(305) 965-4672
PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 2 after canoes sink

A canoe sits at Anclote (Florida) Park boat ramp, Sunday, April 15, 2018. A Coast Guard Station Sand Key boatcrew rescued two men off Anclote Light 6 after their canoes sank; rescuers were able to retrieve one of the two canoes. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.)


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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two mariners stranded on navigational beacon light 6 near Anclote Key, Sunday.

Rescued were cousins Jackie Mabe Jr., 27, from Hudson and Dustin L. Smith, 25, from Tampa.

At 1:51 p.m., Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a call from Mabe stating he and his cousin were stranded on navigational beacon light 6 after their canoes sank. 

A Station Sand Key 29-foot Response Boat Small-II boatcrew was launched, arrived on scene and transported the men and Mabe's canoe to Anclote park boat ramp. There were no reported injuries.

Mabe stated the two men had spent the night camping on Anclote Key and were headed back when their canoes started taking on water. Mabe made it to the light and tied off his canoe before it sank. Smith followed Mabe but was unable to tie off his canoe to the light before it also sank. 

"It was not a good situation," said Mabe. "Don't underestimate Mother Nature."

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-USCG-