Boater Rescued After Commercial Fishing Boat Catches Fire Near Clearwater: WATCH

CLEARWATER, FL — A boater was rescued Sunday after their commercial fishing boat caught fire 100 miles west of Clearwater, the U.S. Coast Guard said. (Watch a video of the rescue below.)

Coast Guard Southeast watchstanders received a notification through a radio beacon around 3:30 p.m.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew found the boater in a life raft near the burning vessel around 5:45 p.m.

A rescue swimmer got in the water and hoisted the boater up into the helicopter, the Coast Guard said.

The boater was in stable condition and didn’t require medical attention.

“The boater was able to quickly deploy a life raft and abandon their burning vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaiah Andrews, a search and rescue controller at the Southeast District command center, said. “Through quick actions and the utilization of an emergency position indicating radio beacon our aircrew was able to narrow the search area for a timely rescue.”

Watch a video from the rescue below:

See Also:

• FL Deputies Rescue Man Trapped In Submerged Car: WATCH
• Live Grenade Found In FL Goodwill Store Donation Bin: Police
• 5 Rescued After Boat Sinks Near Egmont Key: Watch
• Man Dangling From Roof Rescued By Tampa Officers: WATCH