Coast Guard Helicopter Saves 5 Boaters After Vessel Sinks Off St. Petersburg Coast

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In the early hours of Friday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard carried out a dramatic rescue operation, saving five individuals from a perilous situation after their boat sank off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida.

The distress call came through around 3:30 a.m., as the Coast Guard received several mayday alerts from a 32-foot vessel in trouble. The caller reported that the boat was taking on water and that all five people on board had donned lifejackets in preparation for evacuation.

“The boaters’ prompt action in wearing life jackets and sending out a mayday call was crucial,” stated Ensign Gaige Garrett from the Sector St. Petersburg command center. “It provided us with essential information for their rescue.”

Responding swiftly, the Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene. Within approximately 45 minutes, the team arrived, with a rescue swimmer and boat crew immediately starting the operation to bring the stranded individuals safely back to shore.

Video from the helicopter shows responding crews using night vision technology to locate the boaters in the dark and using ropes to pull them out of the water.

All five were in stable condition and safely transported to medical personnel waiting at Tierra Verde Marina, USCG said.

With temperatures dropping across the state and country, the Coast Guard is reminding mariners to always dress appropriately and carry the necessary safety equipment when heading out to sea.