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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Coast Guard rescued two missing boaters who were stranded 10 miles northwest of Anclote Key, Florida, Saturday.
A friend of the Makowski's had contacted Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Florida, Aug. 29, because she had not heard from the couple since Aug. 24 and had expected them back Aug. 26.
At approximately 2 a.m. crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat, homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, located the couple stranded aboard their 27-foot sailing vessel and put the sailboat in tow. Crewmembers from the Crocodile provided food and water to the couple.
The couple were transferred to crewmembers aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Station Sand Key, Florida, were transferred safely to Anclote River Boat Ramp, Anclote Key.
Crewmembers aboard Coast Guard Cutter Ocacroke, a 110-foot Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a C-130 Hercules aircraft rescue crew from Air Station Clearwater, Florida, aided in the search.
The couple were reported to be in stable condition.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to carry multiple forms of emergency signaling devices including an emergency position indicating radio beacon. When a 406MHz EPIRB signal is received, search-and-rescue personnel can target a distressed boater's position, and gather important identifying information about the people in distress. An EPIRB used correctly in an emergency situation can save hours of search time.
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