Yankeeetown, FL Coast Guard rescues 2 overdue boaters 18 miles west of Hernando Beach
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 aircrew spotted a red flare early Friday morning and a Coast Guard Station Yankeetown 29-foot Response Boat—Small boat crew located and safely embarked the two mariners. They were transferred to Yankeetown Marina in Yankeetown, Florida without injuries.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a call from the overdue mariners' friend Thursday evening stating they had not arrived back as scheduled.
“We are always grateful when we are able to locate missing mariners quickly and find them unharmed,” said Cap. Matthew Thompson, Sector St. Petersburg commanding officer. “Having the proper safety gear on board is important in cases like this, to help us locate vessels offshore and out of cell phone range.”