Coast Guard rescues 2, partner agency assists 4 kayakers near Sanibel Causeway

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, partner agency assists 4 near Sanibel Causeway

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two kayakers Monday after their kayak capsized about 1 mile north of the Sanibel Causeway.  

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach received a call via 911 transfer at 5:45 p.m. from one of the kayakers stating their group of six, two males and four females, were exhausted and in need of emergency assistance. 

A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 29-foot Response Boat – Small II (RB-S) boatcrew, and a marine unit from Lee County Sheriff's Office launched to assist.

At 5:58 p.m., the RB-S crew located one male in the water and one male clinging to an overturned kayak. The RB-S crew hoisted the men and their kayak aboard the RB-S while the LCSO marine unit crew assisted the other four females aboard their boat. The RB-S crew transferred the males to the LCSO boat who transported all six to the Sanibel Causeway. 

There were no injuries reported.

“This rescue was a success because of the excellent coordination and partner agency teamwork with Lee County Sheriff's Office personnel,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Miller, crewmember at Station Fort Myers Beach. “I was also very happy to see the person in the water wearing a life jacket. Being prepared and wearing your life jacket can be the difference between life and death during an emergency.”

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-USCG-