MIAMI – The Coast Guard ended its three-day search for a Miami area boater, reported disabled somewhere near Cay Sal Banks in the Bahamas, after a Good Samaritan found the boater approximately seven miles off Miami Beach, Fla., today.
Eddie Hernandez, 32, used a satellite phone to contact Coast Guard Sector Miami Friday morning, stating he believed his disabled boat was near Cay Sal Banks and that his Global Positioning System was not working correctly. Hernandez said he departed Crandon Park Marina in Key Biscayne, Fla., around 4 p.m. Thursday.
Hernandez was located around 1 p.m. today when a Good Samaritan saw a vessel drifting and disabled. The Good Samaritan immediately contacted the Coast Guard after Hernandez notified the boater of his situation.
A crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach and a crew from Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to assess Hernandez’ condition. Hernandez was brought to Station Miami Beach where he was reported to be in stable condition.
Coast Guard crews on a C-130 Hercules aircraft, an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, an HU-25 Falcon jet, Cutter Shamal, and Station Miami Beach were all involved in the search for Hernandez around the Cay Sal Banks, Florida Straits and Biscayne Bay.
This is the second Coast Guard search in less than a week involving disabled and adrift boaters. The Coast Guard suspended the search for two Florida men Wednesday, ending a massive search that began after the pair’s 28-foot vessel reportedly became disabled about 27 miles southwest of Dry Tortugas, Fla., Monday afternoon. The two men remain missing.Coast Guard, Station Miami Beach, C-130, Hercules, airplane, HH-65, Dolphin, helicopter, HU-25, Falcon, jet, Cutter Shamal
