DATE: September 24, 2009 9:59:43 PM EDT

US COAST GUARD
News Release

Date:
Sept. 24, 2009

Contact:
Cindy Beckert
(305) 318-1864
Coast Guard rescues two people from sinking fishing boat off Mayport
*Photos and videos available*

Fishing boat runs aground at Mayport, Fla.
The 78-foot fishing vessel King Fish runs aground at Atlantic Beach, Fla., onboard Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Thursday, September 24, 2009. Two fishermen were rescued by the Coast Guard shortly before it ran aground. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo/ Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby Nash) Click here to view video of the fishing boat.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard rescued two fishermen from the 78-foot fishing vessel King Fish, Thursday, at approximately 12:15 p.m., shortly before the vessel ran aground in Mayport.

Rescued were Lawrence Floyd and Armando Origan, both locals of Mayport.

The Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville operations center was notified of the maritime distress by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at approximately 11:30 a.m., after they received a 911 call via a cell phone. A 47-foot rescue boat crew from Station Mayport responded to the distress and rescued the two men.

The King Fish, homeported in Mayport, began taking on water approximately one-half mile south of the Mayport jetties. The two men aboard the King Fish reported a towing block had broken loose and punctured a hole in the ship’s hull, which enabled water to flood the engine room. In addition, water damaged the vessel's battery equipment, and caused the boat to lose power.

The King Fish ran aground at Atlantic Beach onboard Naval Station Mayport near the jetties following the rescue. There is currently no report of pollution.

The Coast Guard reminds all mariners of the vital importance of having safety equipment in the event of an emergency. Professional mariners and recreational boaters are urged to have a working VHF radio, signaling devices and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB),

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