Coast Guard assists boater, dog near Dunedin Marina

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/15/2018 01:58 PM EST

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 assists boater, dog near Dunedin Marina

STOCK IMAGE: A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Fla., is shown near the station, Feb. 29, 2016. Crew members from the station are responsible for the safety and security of more than 2,000 square miles off the west coast of Florida.

Editor's Note: Click on the stock image to download a high-resolution version.

DUNEDIN, Fla.  — The Coast Guard assisted a boater and his dog from a sailboat beset by weather Thursday near the Dunedin Marina. 

 

Assisted was Skyler Bliss, from Dunedin.

 

At 5:13 a.m., Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Command Center watchstanders received a report from Bliss stating his two sailboats, that were tied together, were beset by weather, and dragging anchor due to high winds 100 yards from the Dunedin Marina. Bliss reported he was aboard with his dog and was unable to reset the anchor.  

 

Watchstanders launched a boat crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Sand Key to assist at 5:30 a.m.  The boat crew was unable to reset the anchor.  They embarked Bliss and his dog to the RB-M and transferred them to the Dunedin Marina at 7:06 a.m.  

 

The owner is making plans to recover both sailboats once the weather subsides. 

 

“It’s imperative boaters know their operational limitations and the weather before leaving the dock,” said Lt. Robert List, command center chief at Sector St. Petersburg.  “Also, we urge our maritime community to register their Emergency Position-Indicting Radio Beacons and utilize Paddle Smart stickers on their small craft. By registering an EPIRB and applying the Paddle Smart weather-proof sticker to small craft, boaters can help the Coast Guard save lives, recover missing property, and reduce resources expended on non-emergency search and rescue activities.”

 

For current maritime weather, navigate here www.nws.noaa.gov.

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-USCG-