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| Press Release |
Date: June 28, 2007
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Coast Guard Medevacs 49-Year-Old After 54 Hours in Water
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg, Fla., rescue crew medically evacuated a 49-year-old male from a casino boat 10-miles west of St. Pete Beach, in St. Petersburg, Fla., at about 10 p.m. today. Michael J. Graham was overturned in his kayak by a wave Tuesday morning from a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Graham was reported to be wearing a life jacket when recovered from the water. Graham had been in the water since 10 a.m Tuesday. The Coast Guard received a call at 8:45 p.m. from a crewmember aboard the Ft. Myers based 186-foot Big M Casino reporting Graham's condition and requesting Coast Guard assistance. Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg immediately launched a 41-foot utility boat to assist in the rescue. The rescue crew arrived on scene at about 10 p.m. and safely transferred Graham to the 41-foot Coast Guard vessel where Pinnellas County Fire and Rescue EMS were aboard. Graham was transferred to Fort Desoto pier, in Tierra Verde, Fla., where EMS was standing by. Graham is reported to be in stable condition with early signs of hypothermia, a slight sun burn, and dehydration. No family members or friends of Graham's notified the Coast Guard that he was overdue or possibly missing. The Coast Guard stresses to boaters to file a FLOAT PLAN with a responsible loved one or friend!! A float plan should include basic information about your trip including where you are going, what time you will depart and return, who is with you onboard, and any other important information that will assist rescuers in locating you if necessary. It's also good idea to leave a photo of the boat with the friend or relative to give a better description of the watercraft to search and rescue teams. If you don't return at the designated time, your friend or family member can contact their local Coast Guard unit and expedite a rescue if needed. ###
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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