Coast Guard rescues 2 from sailing vessel best by wheather 57 miles from Apalachicola

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 2 from sailing vessel best by wheather 57 miles from Apalachicola

Editor's Note: Click on the images to download high resolution versions.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two men, Saturday, from a 42-foot sailing vessel beset by weather 57 miles of Apalachicola.

Rescued were: Richard Moore, 72, and John Ulrich, 77.

An Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew arrived on scene, hoisted the two mariners, and safely transferred them to Air Station Clearwater with no medical concerns.

Coast Guard 8th District Command Center watchstanders notified  Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders reporting two people aboard a sailing vessel in distress due to sea conditions. The watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter crew and diverted an HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew to assist.

"Forecasted severe weather can put even the most experienced mariners at risk,” said Lt. Jonathan Ray, Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter pilot at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. “With that said, it’s fortunate we arrived on scene when we did because the weather was getting worse by the minute. The crew did a fantastic job in incredibly challenging and complex conditions to rescue these men before the sea could overtake their vessel.”

Local authorities will coordinate commercial salvage operations to remove the vessel from the water and monitor the situation to assist if conditions worsen.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders reported 34 mph winds and 10-foot seas.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-