Coast Guard rescues 2 boaters after personal watercraft capsizes near Miguel Bay

Coast Guard rescues 2 boaters after personal watercraft capsizes near Miguel Bay

CORTEZ, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two boaters Monday after their personal watercraft capsized 500 yards west of Big Miguel Pass. 

Rescued were John Miller, 50 and Shane Schaltz, 51. 

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Cortez received a 911 transfer at 8:20 p.m. via Manatee County Dispatch from a distressed boater stating he and another man were capsized and in need of emergency assistance. 

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, and launched A 29-foot Response Boat-Small II (RBS) boatcrew from Station Cortez to assist. Marine unit personnel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Manatee County Sheriff's Office were requested to assist due to the shallow water in the area.  

At 9 p.m., the RBS crew located the boaters in the water and both were wearing their lifejackets. The boatcrew embarked the two boaters and transported them to Bradenton Yacht Club were EMS was waiting. 

The RBS crew attempted to tow the personal water craft; however, the tow was cancelled due to unsafe conditions and the personal watercraft was marked as a hazard to navigation.    

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-USCG-