Coast Guard rescues man after boat capsizes 20 miles west of Spring Hill

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/20/2019 11:44 AM EDT

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 rescues man after boat capsizes 20 miles west of Spring Hill

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard rescued a man Thursday after his boat capsized approximately 20 miles west of Spring Hill.  

Rescued was Walker Wesley, 59, from Spring Hill, Florida.  

The man was transported to Hernando Beach boat ramp where local EMS met him and was released in good condition.  

Coast Guard Station Yankeetown 27-foot Utility Boat— Medium (UTM) crew launched and located the man on top of his capsized boat due to an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) alert sent from his location.  

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received notification at 11:45 p.m. from District 7 command center watchstanders of an EPIRB alert and immediately launched the UTM crew from Station Yankeetown and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater to assist. 

 
“EPIRB's save lives," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ricardo Nunez, the officer of the day at Station Yankeetown. "Our crews were able to pinpoint the survivors exact location because he was prepared for an unexpected emergency and had the proper safety equipment on board. I'm grateful we were able to locate the man and get him to back to his family." 

No injuries were reported. 

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-USCG-