Two boaters rescued from Crystal River after striking dayboard

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

Crystal River, Florida — A Coast Guard Station Yankeetown boat crew assisted two boaters in the area of Marker 19 on the Crystal River, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after a good Samaritan contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 12:09 p.m., stating they observed two boaters on a vessel that appeared to be taking on water.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel made contact with a dayboard, a diamond-shaped navigational mark used on water to help boat operators determine their location on a nautical map.

After rescuing the boaters, the Yankeetown boat crew transferred the boaters to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Pete’s Pier Marina, located on King's Bay in Crystal River, Florida.

“We encourage all boaters to maintain a safe distance between their vessels at all times,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kassidy Wayland, an operations specialist assigned to Sector St. Petersburg (Florida). “In the event of a narrowing navigable channel or large concentration of vessels, please reduce your speed and remain vigilant.”

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders are broadcasting to mariners the lack of a dayboard at Crystal River marker 19.