DATE: April 23, 2009 16:06:43 EST

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News Release

Date:
April 23, 2009 

Contact:
Michael Hulme
(305) 318-1864
Coast Guard responds to distress, Good Samaritan rescues 6

Editor's note: Photos of the the vessel in distress and the responding Good Samaritans can be viewed below. To download, right-click and choose "save as."

Photo 1 - A picture of the vessel in distress and one of the responding Good Samaritans taken from a Coast Guard jet flying overhead.

Photo 2 - A picture of the vessel in distress and both of the responding Good Samaritans taken from a Coast Guard jet flying overhead.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.– The Coast Guard responded a distress call from a 26-foot boat sinking 90 miles east of Jacksonville with six people aboard Thursday morning.

The six people aboard the vessel contacted the Coast Guard via VHF channel 16 and their 406 MHz emergency positioning indicating radio beacon and notified the Coast Guard they were taking on water and sinking. A Good Samaritan in the area responded and removed all the people from the water and are bringing them back to shore. 

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter Air Station Clearwater, Fla., a Coast Guard jet with a de-watering pump from Air Station Miami, and a Navy P-3 fixed-wing aircraft responded to the distress call.

All persons aboard were reportedly wearing life jackets at the time of the distress call. The Coast Guard stresses the importance of having a VHF marine radio and registered E.P.I.R.B. Both of these devices can greatly increase your chances of being rescued when used properly.

 

 

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