Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission locate 2 overdue boaters in Nassau County, Fla.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission located two overdue boaters in Nassau County, Fla., Monday.

Rescued are Steve Strout, 63, and Alex Harner, 13.

Operational watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville were notified Sunday at approximately 7:45 p.m. that both boaters had not returned from fishing at a pre-scheduled time. A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Savannah, Ga., Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, a FWC helicopter crew and rescue personnel aboard a jet ski responded throughout the night and early morning.

FWC personnel located both boaters aboard their disabled boat in Thomas Creek at approximately 8:15 a.m. Monday. The boaters were about four miles from the Edwards Road Boat Ramp in Yulee, Fla.

“We are thrilled with the outcome, but this case illustrates the vital importance of maintaining proper safety equipment in the event of an emergency,” said Cdr. Patrick Schreiber, chief of response for Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. “We encourage all boaters to invest in marine band VHF radios, emergency position indicating radio beacons, and to always wear your lifejacket.”