PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 60 sea turtles affected by winter storm near South Padre Island, Texas

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi Public Affairs 361-438-0176 832-293-1293 PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 60 sea turtles affected by winter storm near South Padre Island, Texas

   

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued 60 sea turtles that were in need of life-saving assistance after being affected by a recent winter storm near South Padre Island, Texas, Wednesday.

Two aviation survival technicians, or rescue swimmers, Petty Officer 2nd Class Russell Grizzard and Petty Officer 3rd Class Will Groskritz, from Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi, volunteered to help swim in and rescue sea turtles that had been stunned as a result of the recent cold weather.

The rescue was part of an effort by various local volunteers who rescued an accumulative of over 400 cold-stunned sea turtles, who were then transported to local rehabilitation centers.

"We were more than happy to lend our assistance and expertise to the larger group effort helping to save the sea turtles that had been affected by the freeze," said Groskritz. "Russ and I swam through some rough and cold water to help these turtles that were out of reach from shore."

The water temperature at the time of the rescue was reported as 35-36 degrees.

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-USCG-