On Thursday, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami helicopter crew rescued a man clinging to a cooler and wearing a life jacket approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key following Hurricane Milton.
A video shows airplane and helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater currently deployed to Aviation Training Center Mobile for storm avoidance and Air Station Miami plucking the man from the water.
The rescue had its roots in an incident that began on Oct. 7, when the captain of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg that he and a crew member were disabled approximately 20 miles off John’s Pass.
A Coast Guard Station Sand Key rescue boat crew and an Air Station Clearwater rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene and hoisted the two people and brought them back to Air Station Clearwater in good condition. The vessel was left adrift and salvage arrangements were to be made.
At around noon on Wednesday, the owner of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders the captain went back out to the boat to make repairs at approximately 3 a.m. and hadn’t checked in. Watchstanders were able to make radio contact with the captain who reported the rudder was fouled with a line and became disabled during his transit back to port.