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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Coast Guard rescued a 24-year-old man from the water after he fell off his personal watercraft one mile west of Sanibel Island, Florida, Sunday.
Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach watchstanders received a call from a woman stating she had seen a man fall off a personal watercraft.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from the station was diverted, arrived on scene and pulled the man out of the water. The man had been wearing a life jacket, but his life jacket had fallen off during the incident.
A 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boatcrew from the station was launched, arrived on scene, took the man on board and put the personal watercraft in tow. The man and personal watercraft were transported safely to Sanibel boat ramp.
“Always ensure that when you wear your safety equipment that it properly fits and is worn as per the instructions on it,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Calogero A. Lograsso, an officer of the day at the station. "Had this person been wearing their life jacket properly, it may not have come off. This situation could have been significantly worse.”