‘Proper use of flares’ saves four

18/09/2023

Four people have been rescued off the Florida coast after their boat started taking water thanks to the “proper use of flares”.

A 911 dispatch alerted Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders to multiple flares being seen from an 18-foot boat with four people aboard taking on water one mile off Hernando Beach.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew located the distressed vessel hoisted two of the boaters onto the helicopter and transported them to Air Station Clearwater to meet emergency medical services. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine crew rescued the remaining two people and brought them ashore.

Those rescued were reported in good condition. The vessel was salvaged and is not a hazard to navigation.

Chief Petty Officer Aaron Bolton, a command duty officer at Sector St.Petersburg, says, “The proper use of the flares is what helped save these people. It’s always important to have more than one communication device while underway because cell phone coverage isn’t reliable offshore, and to make sure your flares aren’t expired.”

Source and image: USCG and Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater