FINAL: Coast Guard notified 3 overdue boaters safely arrived to Bahamas

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 notified 3 overdue boaters safely arrived to Bahamas

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard ended its search for three overdue boaters aboard a 21-foot white cabin cruiser who were on their way from Sugarloaf Key, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas after they reported that they were safe and reached the Bahamas, Saturday.

Operation Bahamas, Turks & Caicos officials confirmed, Saturday, that the three Bahamian boaters had safely arrived at the Bahamas. The boaters reported that their vessel became disabled approximately 5 miles north of Andros Island, Bahamas and a good Samaritan towed them to Red Bay, Bahamas.

The Coast Guard searched 21,726 square nautical miles for 90 hours.

Coast Guard assets searched: 

• Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew
• Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew
• Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crew
• Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. (WPC-1107) crew 
• Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) crew
• Coast Guard Cutter Kathleen Moore (WPC-1109) crew
• Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark (WPC-1106) crew

The Coast Guard urges people to be prepared when taking to the sea, especially for longer voyages. A VHF-radio, extra food and water, life jackets and flares are just a few of the things that can keep you prepared while you're out on the water. Filing a float plan is also key before you head out. It's as easy as telling family and friends where you're going to, coming from and for how long so they have all the important information if they need to make the call for help.

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-USCG-