Man and his dog saved after firing flare
20/11/2020
A man and his dog have been saved after firing a flare when their boat ran out of fuel in Florida.
The man and dog were rescued off Key Largo by a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat crew from Coast Guard Station Islamorada.
The man fired several red flares to alert rescuers and watchstanders received many reports of them being seen near Buttonwood Sound one evening in October.
Sector Key West Coast Guard small boat was launched, located the man and his dog and took them back to shore.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilfredo Lugo, a Station Islamorada boat coxswain, says, “Because the man had flares, he was able to signal for help. Having working safety equipment does save lives.”
The Coast Guard has reminded boaters. “Check the weather before going out, tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back, wear a life jacket, ensure your safety gear is up to date, and have a registered emergency position indicator radio beacon on board.”
The U.S. Coast Guard photo by Fireman Brennan Griffith shows the Coast Guard Station Islamorada 33-foot boat crew assisting the man and also his dog.
Read how flares brought help for missing mariners in Florida.
