Flare helps save fishermen in Florida

22/05/2019

Three people in a disabled fishing boat were rescued off the Florida coast after letting off flares.

The 27-foot vessel, east of Port Canaveral, was reported as being overdue after a fishing tournament.

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center asked a Coast Guard Station Ponce De Leon Inlet 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew and an Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew to search and assist.
The boat crew later sighted a red flare off the bow, arrived on the scene and safely towed the disabled vessel to Station Ponce.
Mark Visconti, command center controller at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville spoke of the importance of marine distress signals in summoning help.
“The boaters used their flares appropriately allowing the boat crew to locate them instantly, completely eliminating search time and ensuring swift assistance.
“Just like radios and emergency position-indicating radio beacons, flares can help vector rescue crews to your position and are a vital piece of equipment to have on your vessel.”
The Coast Guard dispatched a 45-foot response boat like the one pictured to assist in the rescue of a disabled vessel east of Port Canaveral on Saturday. (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary).