MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard, partner agencies rescue injured sea turtle 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/18/2018 07:26 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

Multimedia Release

Sept. 18, 2018

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, partner agencies rescue injured sea turtle 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key

Coast Guard, partner agencies rescue injured sea turtle 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key

An injured sea turtle is held by members of Coast Guard Station Islamorada as they attempt to put the turtle into a container of water Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 to be transported to the Marathon-based Turtle Hospital. A Coast Guard Station Islamorada 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Shallow Water boatcrew approach an injured sea turtle Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 approximately 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key Members of Coast Guard Station Islamorada place an injured sea turtle into a container of water Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 to be transported to the Marathon-based Turtle Hospital.

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard and partner agencies rescued an injured sea turtle Tuesday approximately 2 miles southeast of Plantation Key.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard Station Islamorada received a call at approximately 2 p.m. from the Turtle Hospital reporting an injured sea turtle. The station launched a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft—Shallow Water boatcrew to assist the hospital. 

“We completed one of the Coast Guard’s missions, protecting living marine resources, by rescuing this injured sea turtle,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Filippone, a Station Islamorada officer of the day. “We were very fortunate to work alongside local agencies, like Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Turtle Hospital, here in the Florida Keys. They are pivotal in the success of helping us protect the living marine resources in our Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.”

The SPC—SW crew arrived on scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. and transferred the turtle to members of the Turtle Hospital for further care. An FWC boatcrew assisted in the rescue of the turtle.

"We are grateful to all the partner agencies involved in the rescue of Shelmore, a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle, who was checked into the Turtle Hospital," said Bette Zirkelbach, Turtle Hospital manager. "When Shelmore was brought into the hospital, we did a workup that included a physical examination, blood chemistry and radiographs. Shelmore is looking good in her hospital tank and is in guarded condition."

The Turtle Hospital helps rehabilitate injured sea turtles and return them to their natural habitat.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

-USCG-