NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard rescued one adult and one child approximately 20-miles east of Ponce de Leon Inlet, Fla., after a 25-foot center console boat began sinking and later capsized Wednesday.
Names of the rescued are not immediately available.
The Coast Guard received a mayday distress call at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday from the operator of the vessel who indicated his vessel was sinking. The mayday call was made via VHF Channel 16, which serves as the primary means for mariners to contact the Coast Guard in a distress
A Coast Guard 25-foot rescue boat crew from Station Ponce de Leon Inlet arrived on scene at 11:45 a.m. and rescued both survivors who were waiting on the hull of the capsized boat. Both survivors were wearing their lifejackets.
In addition, a helicopter rescue crew from Naval Air Station Jacksonville also launched.
A VHF radio is inexpensive and is the primary means to contact the Coast Guard during an emergency. Approximately 20,000 distress calls are received yearly on the international distress frequency, which also serves as the primary means for broadcasting urgent marine information to mariners.
To learn more about VHF radios and the national distress system please click here.
