MIAMI — A man was rescued by a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew after his vessel sunk southeast of Lake Worth, Fla., Saturday.
Rescued was Michael Forbes, 41.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received a report from a good Samaritan of a 17-foot vessel taking on water approximately 39 miles southeast of Lake Worth. The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered and a Air Station Miami helicopter crew were directed to respond to the report.
Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer was deployed and pulled Forbes from the water to safety.
“He was incredibly lucky,” said Lt. Craig Holliehead, a Royal Navy pilot stationed at Air Station Miami. “Had he not been carrying a hand held radio, his chances of survival would have been slim.”
Forbes was later taken to Freeport, Bahamas, with no reported injuries.
