Archive image: An Air Station Clearwater MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter on the runway at KSPG Albert Whitted Airport.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Scott Kellerman.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew rescue a 72-year-old sailor (male) after his 40-foot sailing vessel took on water 185 nautical miles west of Fort Myers. Friday, March 15, 2024.
The Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter and a HC-27J Spartan airplane crews spotted the man, at approximately 12 p.m.
The MH-60 Jayhawk MRR helicopter aicrew deployed the rescue swimmer to hoisted the man off his sinking vessel and, once onboard, the rescue helicopter crew transported him to Tampa Fire Rescue emergency medical services at Peter O. Knight Airport to receive a higher level of care.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received the man’s distress call over VHF radio channel 16, at approximately 8 a.m., where he reported his position, his vessel taking on water and activated an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).
The HC-27J is a modified surveillance variant of the Leonardo (Alenia) C-27J Spartan, a former U.S. Air Force transport aircraft.
The rebuilt aircraft primarily serves in maritime patrol, surveillance, medium-range search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, and disaster response missions.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Foster.
«Coast Guard crews were able to complete this rescue quickly and efficiently thanks to the boater having a properly registered EPIRB aboard his vessel,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael D. Dinapolis, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstander. “We encourage all boaters to adhere to safe boating in case they find themselves in an emergency out at sea, like the one we responded to today. Safe boating will increase your odds of survival no matter the circumstance.”
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–USCG–
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