Archive image: Aircrew members from Coast Guard Air Station Miami aboard a HC-144A Ocean Sentry airplane prepare to take off from Guantanamo Bay, Monday, July 17, 2017.
Crewmembers from Air Station Miami, and Air Station Miami, Aviation Detachment (AVDET) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, provide logistics and inventory support to Port Security Units and cutters in port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew S. Masaschi.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach boatcrew and Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew rescue five boaters after their 30-foot vessel suffered reported mechanical issues 23 nautical miles southwest of Marco Island. Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office dispatch contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders, Sunday, at approximately 9 a.m., reporting five men were overdue after departing from Island Marina, Friday, at approximately 5 a.m.
The Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry rescue aircraft aircrew spotted all five men on their disabled vessel, at approximately 1 p.m., allowing the Coast Guard boatcrew to locate and assist the overdue mariners. The Response Boat-Medium boatcrew towed the disabled vessel inland and rendezvoused with one of the boater’s family members, who transported the men and disabled vessel to Island Marina.
“Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders were able to rescue the five men quickly and efficiently because they let their loved ones know where they were going, and updated them frequently with their location,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Santiago Gomez, Coast Guard 7th District public affairs specialist. “We encourage all boaters to have a float plan and means to communicate during an emergency. In this case, constant communication with someone on land ultimately aided search and rescue personnel, providing a narrower search area, resulting in the missing men being found faster.”
Collier County Sheriff’s Office dispatch contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders, Sunday, at approximately 9 a.m., reporting five men were overdue after launching from Island Marina, Friday, at approximately 5 a.m.
U.S. Coast Guard Video.
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