ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The 27-foot boat that was reportedly taking on water with three people aboard 30 miles off Ponte Vedra, Florida, safely moored at Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville, Florida about 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The vessel was able to make way under its own power to the pier, under Coast Guard escort.
No injuries have been reported.
One of the boaters used a VHF-FM marine radio to call for help about 2:15 p.m., alerting watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center the boat was in distress. An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon was also activated, sending an electronic distress signal to rescuers.
A Coast Guard helicopter that was already operating in the area diverted to aid the vessel and dropped a life raft as a precaution before departing due to low fuel. Watchstanders remained in contact with the boaters while a second helicopter went to the scene and flew cover as the boat transited back to shore under its own power.
“This incident showcases the importance of EPIRBs and VHF-FM marine radios,” said Jeff Royer, command duty officer at Sector Jacksonville. “Cell phones don’t typically work 30 miles offshore, so radios and EPIRBs are the fastest and most reliable tools to communicate to rescuers you’re in trouble.”
The initial press release, including audio of the radio distress call, is available here.