CEDAR KEY, Fla. — A 50-year-old man was medically evacuated by the Coast Guard approximately 15 miles west of here, Saturday.
A member aboard a 26-foot recreational boat contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 5:51 p.m., reporting they were experiencing mechanical problems with one of their outboard engines. Another man aboard the boat went into the water, to identify and repair the engine, and began to drift away from the boat.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater arrived on scene, hoisted the man and transported him to Cedar Key Airport where he was transferred to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel.
“Having a marine band radio aboard their boat greatly aided is the Coast Guard responding quickly,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Diaz, a watchstander at the sector. “We were able to receive the call, have a Jayhawk on scene and retrieved him before the situation deteriorated.”
No injuries were reported.
