MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard medevacs man from sailboat near Lido Key

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/30/2018 01:28 PM EDT

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
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Coast Guard medevacs man from sailboat near Lido Key

Coast Guard medevacs man from sailboat
A Station Cortez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew medevacs a 43-year-old man from a sailboat 2 miles west of Big Sarasota Pass, Florida, June 30, 2018. Bryan Shawl reported he was suffering from symptoms seasickness and was no longer able to safely operate his sailboat. (U.S. Coast Guard photo.) Bryan Shawl, a Tarpon Springs sailboater, hunches over aboard a Station Cortez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium 2 miles west of Big Sarasota Pass, Florida, June 30, 2018. The boatcrew medevaced Shawl after he reported suffering from symptoms of seasickness and was unable to safely operate his sailboat. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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LIDO KEY, Fla. — The Coast Guard medevaced a man Saturday from a sailboat 2 miles west of Big Sarasota Pass.

Rescued was Tarpon Springs native, Bryan Shawl, 43.

At 1:54 a.m. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from Shawl stating he was suffering from symptoms of seasickness and was no longer able to safely operate his 36-foot sailboat.

A flight surgeon was notified and recommended Shawl be medevaced. 

A Station Cortez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched and transported Shawl to the station where emergency medical services awaited. 

"We hope Mr. Shawl feels better soon," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Wilk, officer of the day at Station Cortez. "We recommend boaters make sure to always check the weather prior to getting underway, and always try to have another person aboard to assist if fatigue sets in."

Shawl stated he will coordinate with commercial salvage to retrieve the sailboat. The station boatcrew anchored the boat, but it still poses a hazard to navigation. Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders issued a broadcast notice to mariners via marine band radio, and asks boaters to take caution when transiting the area.

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-USCG-