Archive image: A U.S. Airman is hoisted into an MH-60T Jayhawk assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, near MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 22, 2024.
Air Station Clearwater provided support for a water survival training exercise involving U.S. Air Force aircrew members assigned to multiple units.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Coast Guard aircrews rescue two adrift sailors after their 34-foot sailing vessel lost its sail 73 nautical miles off Boca Grande during the Tropical Storm Debby. Sunday, August 4, 2024.
No injuries were reported.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane rescue aircrew launched and located the disabled vessel with both boaters aboard around 11 a.m. The aircrew vectored in an Air Station Clearwater MH-60T Jayhawk Medium-Range Recovery Helicopter rescue aircrew who hoisted and transported the sailors to Air Station Clearwater.
The sailors’ friend contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders, Saturday, at approximately 5 p.m., reporting the two boaters missed their check-in while sailing from Key West to Tarpon Springs.
The sailors were taken to Air Station Clearwater with no reported injuries.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Department of Homeland Security.
United States Air Force.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“Some of the most important factors in any search and rescue case is accurate information and safety equipment,» said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper, a search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator at Coast Guard District Seven. «We received an updated satellite position from the boaters’ friend, which led to them being successfully located. This rescue was a collaborative effort between District Seven and Sector St. Petersburg while Tropical Storm Debby crossed the region.”
Weather conditions were 15 to 20-foot seas and approximately 50-knot winds with low visibility.
Crews involved in the search efforts include:
- Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J Hercules airplane aircrew
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunters WP-3D Orion airplane aircrew
- Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry rescue airplane aircrew
- Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60T Jayhawk MRR Helicopter aircrew
The Coast Guard strongly encourages mariners to file a float plan with a loved one before taking their boat out on the water.
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–USCG–
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