PHOTO RELEASE: Coast guard rescues 63-year-old man from water near Fort Pierce Inlet

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

Coast guard rescues 63-year-old man from water near Fort Pierce Inlet

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued a 63-year-old man Thursday from the water near Fort Pierce Inlet after his 23-foot boat capsized.

Rescued was Michael Grieschimd, 63.

Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report from a Fort Pierce bridge tender at approximately 12:18 p.m., who stated he received a mayday call from a boater via VHF-FM radio Channel 9.  Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew who arrived on scene at approximately 12:24 p.m. The boatcrew embarked Grieschimd who was sitting on the hull of his capsized vessel wearing a personal flotation device and transferred him ashore to the station with no reported injuries.

Commercial salvage towed the vessel ashore.

"The fact that Mr. Grieschimd had a life jacket on and utilized his VHF-FM radio was a huge contribution to the success of our mission," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Watkins, Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce operations petty officer. "Whether you're in the middle of the ocean or a few miles offshore, having the proper safety equipment is always a huge factor in terms of how long it takes for us to locate you."

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-USCG-