A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew Oct. 10 rescued a commercial fishing boat captain about 30 miles off Longboat Key Oct.10.
The captain of a longliner fishing vessel out of Madeira Beach went into the water just as Hurricane Milton struck Florida’s West coast overnight Oct. 9.
The man, who was wearing a life jacket, was found clinging to a cooler midday Oct. 10 after spending close to 12 hours in the water enduring winds up to 90 mph and waves estimated to be 25 feet high.
The man, who was not identified as of Islander press time, was flown to Tampa General Hospital for medical care.
This was the man’s second time in a USCG rescue basket that week.
On Oct. 7, the captain of the vessel Capt. Dave radioed Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg that he and a crew member were disabled about 20 miles off John’s Pass.
In response, a Coast Guard Station Sand Key rescue boat crew and an Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew were dispatched. Both the captain and first mate were hoisted to safety and returned to Air Station Clearwater in good health, while the vessel was left adrift pending salvage arrangements.
On Oct. 9, the owners of Capt. Dave notified USCG watchstanders at Sector St. Petersburg that the captain had not checked in after reboarding the vessel offshore and attempting to make repairs.
Coast Guard personnel radioed the captain, who reported that the vessel’s rudder had become fouled, leaving him disabled during his return to port.
At that time, the area was experiencing 8-foot seas and 30 mph winds.
Conditions continued to worsen as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the coast.
A rescue operation was initiated from Miami to locate the missing captain.
USCG public affairs specialist Nicole Groll said Oct. 11 that the rescue was initiated from Air Station Miami because airplane and helicopter crews from Clearwater were already at an aviation training center mobile to avoid storm conditions.
During the deployment, USCG personnel advised the captain to don a life jacket and remain with the vessel’s emergency position indicating radio beacon.
An EPIRB is a small electronic device that can help locate people in distress at sea. When activated, an EPIRB emits a signal that can be detected by satellites and alerts search and rescue authorities to the user’s location. EPIRBs are designed to work for at least 48 hours after activation.
However, radio communications were lost with the Capt. Dave at about 6:45 p.m. Oct. 9.
USCG Lt. Cmdr. Dana Grady, chief of Sector St. Petersburg’s command center, said, “This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner. We estimate he faced winds of 75-90 mph and seas of 20-25 feet for an extended period, including overnight. His survival was due to a life jacket, his emergency locator beacon, and a cooler.”
USCG crews the morning of Oct. 10 sighted the captain and a Coast Guard swimmer was lowered to assist him into a rescue basket.
There was no word from a USCG spokesperson Oct. 12 as to the man’s condition.