Coast Guard rescues 75 year-old man near Wassaw Island, GA

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville Office: 904-714-7606/7607 After Hours: 305-318-1864 PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 75-year-old man near Wassaw Island

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Coast Guard rescued a 75-year-old man near Wassaw Island, Thursday.

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew located the man adrift in a 14-foot boat one mile offshore of Wassaw Island.

The helicopter aircrew vectored in a Coast Guard Station Tybee Island 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew who took the man aboard and placed the boat in tow.

The Station Tybee Island crew transferred the tow to a Coast Guard Auxiliary shallow-response boat crew who towed the boat to Butter Bean boat ramp.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders received a call at about 6 a.m., Thursday from the wife of the missing man stating he departed Wednesday for a short trip and never returned.

“The Coast Guard encourages all mariners to carry a marine band VHF radio on board because we are always monitoring Channel 16 for distress situations,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Pope, an operations specialist. "I couldn't be more proud of our team and how quickly they located the man”

No injuries were reported. 

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