NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Two boaters are safe following a rescue by Coast Guard Station Ponce Inlet, Fla., crewmembers after their canoe capsized near Manatee Park in New Smyrna Beach, Friday.
Rescued were: Caleb Kraft a 20-year-old male and David Butts a 25-year-old male, hometowns unknown.
Butts contacted watchstanders aboard Station Ponce Inlet at 8 a.m. Friday via cellular device stating that the canoe capsized and they were in need of assistance.
A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium rescue crew arrived on scene at 8:10 a.m. and found Butts and Kraft standing on concrete pilings under the South Causeway Bridge.
“When we arrived on scene, the canoe had already been taken by the 25-knot winds,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Rivas, the coxswain of the RBM. “Boaters and swimmers need to check weather conditions before they decide to go on the water . There is already a small craft advisory in effect and the storm is only getting worse.”
The boaters were taken aboard the RBM and transported to Manatee Park with no reported injuries.
Only one of the boaters were reported to be wearing a life jacket.
The Coast Guard is urging boaters to monitor weather conditions before recreating on the water this weekend.
