Coast Guard, partner agencies assists disabled, overdue vessel west of Caladesi Island

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, partner agencies assists disabled, overdue vessel west of Caladesi Island

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard assisted a disabled and overdue vessel Monday off the coast of Caladesi Island.

Four children and four adults were assisted.

FWC located four children and two adults on Caladesi Island. They were transported to Seminole boat ramp. 

At 9:37 p.m., Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstanders were notified of an overdue 21-foot vessel with two people aboard who went offshore fishing after dropping six people off on Caladesi Island. 

A Coast Guard Station Sand Key 45-foot Response Boat – Medium (RBM) crew, an Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk aircraft crew, FWC boat and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter launched to search and assist.

Sector St. Pete watchstanders received a mayday call from the vessel and directed the RBM crew to the location.

At 10:54 p.m., the RBM crew located the two people on the disabled vessel and towed them to Seminole boat ramp.

"The boaters used their VHF marine radio to contact our watchstanders who then notified us of their location” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Casey Goward, the officer of the day on the case. “The boaters were well prepared and our partner agencies played a vital role in reuniting both parties."

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter.

-USCG-