Two Englewood men rescued off capsized vessel near Stump Pass

Courtesy Photo | The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, an 87-foot Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in Miami Beach, Fla., rescues two Englewood, Fla., residents 13-miles off Stump Pass, Jan. 31, 2012. As the Diamondback was en route to dry-dock, watchstanders aboard the cutter spotted the fishermen waving a red cloth in distress about 1,800-yards away. The Diamondback crew arrived on scene, plucked the fishermen from their vessel, and transferred them to safety.  

ENGLEWOOD, FL, UNITED STATES

01.31.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Tampa Bay

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — Two Englewood residents are safe after being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard approximately 13 miles west of Stump Pass, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The two men were spotted sitting on the hull of their submerged vessel frantically waiving their arms 1800 yards away by watchstanders aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, homeported in Miami, while it was in transit to drydock.

The cutter Diamondback launched their smallboat crew who took the men off the submerged vessel and brought them aboard the cutter.

"Luck on behalf of the survivors along with vigilant watchstanding by the cutter Diamondbacks crew ultimately saved their lives as their vessel capsized prior to them making any call-outs for help and they didn't have any kind of signaling equipment on board," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Wood, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg's command center. "Having an electronic position indicating radio beacon on board all vessels is highly recommended to expedite the rescue process in distress cases unforeseen."

The two men were transferred to Coast Guard Station Cortez. No injuries were reported.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2012
• Date Posted: 02.01.2012 10:13
• Story ID: 83125
• Location: ENGLEWOOD, FL, US