MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard rescued three boaters after their 19-foot pleasure boat capsized in the St. Andrew’s Pass, five miles east of Panama City, Fla., Saturday.
The Coast Guard received a call at approximately 7:30 a.m. from the vessel’s operator reporting that the boat had capsized. The station watchstander advised them to put on their lifejackets and await rescue.
A 41-foot small boat and crew from Coast Guard Station Panama City and the Coast Guard Cutter Cormorant and crew, homeported in Fort Pierce, Fla. were launched to assist.
The crew of the 41-foot small boat quickly brought the three people onboard and transported them safely to shore.
No one required medical attention.
The lifejackets helped keep the boaters afloat and gave the Coast Guard the time needed to arrive on scene and perform the rescue.
All boaters are urged to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while on the water. The Coast Guard estimates that two thirds of boating related fatalities are drownings and of those, approximately 90% of victims were not wearing lifejackets.
The Coast Guard has issued a broadcast notice to mariners concerning the location and hazard presented by the capsized vessel.
