ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Five people were rescued by the Coast Guard after the 32-foot boat they were aboard began taking on water 12 miles west of Cedar Key, Monday.
A member aboard the boat contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 1:31 p.m., via VHF-FM channel 16 radio reporting they had lost an engine, were taking on water and in need of assistance.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater arrived on scene, hoisted all five people and are transporting them to Crystal River Airport were they will be transferred to emergency medical personnel.
No injuries were reported.
“Having a marine band radio aboard was essential to being able to communicate with the crew and get to them quickly before the situation deteriorated,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, a search and rescue watchstander at the sector.
