High winds and rough surf Dec. 16-17 displaced multiple boats from their moorings throughout the region, including local anchorages.
A U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez rescue crew responded to a distress call Dec. 17, after two sailing vessels broke loose from their anchors and became pinned against the north side of the Cortez Bridge.
Maritime Enforcement Specialist Angel Cisneros spoke to The Islander Dec. 18 and said, “There were a lot of displaced vessels. We did have a vessel moved off the bridge here local to station Cortez.”
Cisneros said as of Dec. 18 the station has received even more calls about displaced vessels.
“We’re getting some calls right now about vessels washed up in people’s backyards and stuff,” he said. “That’s pretty much what we are going to be dealing with at the station in the next few days.”
U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg issued a Dec. 17 news release saying crews responded to more than 20 reports of displaced vessels during the storm.
“In a situation where a vessel becomes adrift, the best course of action is to contact your local Coast Guard sector command center with the description and registration number of your vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Caroline Dotson, with the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstander.