U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Omar Faba.
CLEARWATER, Florida. — A Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crew conducted the rescue of four boaters after their 24-foot vessel capsized approximately 26 nautical miles west of Clearwater. Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The four boaters were in stable condition and safely transported to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at Station Sand Key.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew located the boaters aboard their capsized vessel in 2 to 3-foot seas and 5-10 knot winds at 7:15 a.m., Tuesday. The HC-144B aircrew deployed a life raft and a Mk-58 marine location marker to vector the Response Boat-Medium crew to the vessel’s location.
A family member reported the overdue vessel to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 9:08 p.m., Monday.
The four boaters were in stable condition and safely transported to awaiting emergency medical service personnel at Station Sand Key.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
“Through the efforts of multiple Coast Guard crews and partner agencies we were able to safely recover the missing boaters and reunite them with their loved ones,” said Ensign Gaige Garrett, Operational Unit Controller at Sector St. Petersburg Command Center. “We want to remind anyone going out on the water to have all necessary safety equipment to include Coast Guard approved life jackets, VHF radio, signaling devices and an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or personal locator beacon (PLB).”
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders maintain a continuous watch while monitoring VHF Channel 16 and direct coordination with partner agencies to deploy Coast Guard assets at a moments notice for emergent search and rescue (SAR) cases.
–USCG–
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