PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard Rescues 3 from a capsized vessel approximately 6 miles south of Sugarloaf Key

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 01/09/2019 04:00 PM EST

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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 3 from a capsized vessel approximately 6 miles south of Sugarloaf Key

Station Key West crewmembers transfer three people to safety after rescuing them from a capsized vessel Jan. 9, 2019 approximately six miles east of Sugarloaf Key. Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Key West received an alert reporting a capsized 30 foot vessel with one person on the water and two holding on to the vessel. Station Key West launched a Medium Endurance Response boat, arrived on scene and rescued all three passengers with no reported injuries.

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued three people Wednesday from the water approximately 6 miles south of Sugarloaf Key. 

Rescued were Sean Johnson, 49, Craig Zetwick, 54, and Ken Kuhfuss, 47.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report via VHF-FM radio channel 16 from a crewmember stating their 30-foot vessel capsized. 

Coast Guard Station Key West launched a Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew who arrived on scene to find one person on the hull, two holding onto the vessel without life jackets and rescued all three passengers with no reported injuries.

"While the utilization of a VHF-FM radio was crucial in the success of this mission, it's important to make sure that boaters have all of their safety equipment in order before they set sail," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray, a Coast Guard spokesperson. "Equipment such as flares, life jackets and an electronic position indicating radio beacon are crucial in capsized vessel situations, and play a big factor in the success of a rescue."

-USCG-