YANKEETOWN, Fla.— The Coast Guard rescued two adults and two children aboard an 18-foot boat 10 miles west of Aripeka, Florida, Sunday.
At 11:15 p.m. Saturday watchstanders from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown received a phone call from a woman stating her husband, child and two friends were aboard a flooded boat beginning to capsize.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, and a 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium boat crew from Station Yankeetown were launched.
The Jayhawk crew found the people wearing life jackets and sitting in the boat in chest deep water. The helicopter crew remained on scene until the rescue boat crew arrived.
The boat crew safely embarked all four people, and a fish caught by thesurvivors during their fishing trip. The people were given wool blankets and were transported safely to Hernando Beach (Florida) boat ramp. There were no reported injuries.
“We were fortunate the people had stayed in constant contact with a family member on shore,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Tappan, a crewmember aboard the rescue boat crew. “Having a float plan, and updating it when plans change, allows rescuers to find someone in distress significantly faster.”
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aided in the rescue.
