U.S. Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg watchstanders received notification from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office of a capsized 22-foot vessel with five people clinging onto the hull of the vessel. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 aircrew launched and spotted the mariners about five miles west of Anclote Key. The air crew vectored in the Pasco County Marine Unit, and the Pasco marine team rescued the five persons in the water. No injuries were reported.
“The emergency call came through a cell tower and the ping location from the cell tower was quite different from the actual emergency location,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Evan Means, an Operations Specialist in the command center.
“With the additional information given to the command center from Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, we worked diligently to provide the most accurate search pattern for the MH-60 crew, allowing them to successfully locate all five people in the water,” he added.
Four of the five people were wearing life vests.
The Coast Guard recommends all boaters file a float plan, wear a life jacket, and have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon to use in times of emergency.