Coast Guard Emphasizes Significance Of Life Jackets After Boat Near St. Pete Sank

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Four people were rescued by a United States Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter aircrew after their boat sank 69 miles west of St. Petersburg Sunday, a news release said.

The aircrew brought up the boaters in an emergency basket to the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that had been launched from Air Station Clearwater. According to the Coast Guard, the survivors were able to use the life raft they had onboard. (A video of the rescue provided by USCG District 7 is at the bottom of this article.)

“This event highlights the importance of having proper survival gear and the thorough preparation by the crew of the vessel,” Lt. Cmdr. Jason Maddux, Jayhawk helicopter pilot at Air Station Clearwater, said. “Having life jackets and a life raft was critical for the survival of these four individuals.”

The Sector St. Petersburg command center received a distress signal from the boat before its occupants got on the life raft. Watchstanders at the center were able to help the helicopter locate the boaters. A good Samaritan on a boat near where the other boat had sunk got word about the emergency and stayed nearby ready to provide help as the aircrew worked to get the basket to the four boaters, Coast Guard District 7 said.

The survivors were flown to Air Station Clearwater where medical staff awaited.

No information about injuries or the survivors' condition after medical staff treated them has been released by the Coast Guard.

Video of the Coast Guard Rescue Provided By District 7 Is Below