7th Coast Guard District

U.S. Coast Guard

Date: March 12, 2010

Contact: Petty Officer First Class Mariana O'Leary

(727) 535-1437 x2143

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Coast Guard crewmembers medically evacuated a 56-year-old man from a boat in Charlotte Harbor, Fla., at 3:00 p.m., Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Fort Myers received a call from the Lee County Sheriff's Department at 2:40 p.m., reporting that David Silbert, a passenger aboard a 30-foot sailboat, was suffering from stroke-like symptoms just north of Pine Island in Charlotte Harbor.

Station crewmembers immediately launched a 33-foot response boat with emergency medical personnel onboard, arriving on scene at 2:49 p.m.  Silbert was safely transferred to the Coast Guard response boat and taken back to Station Fort Myers at 3:05 p.m., where an ambulence transported him to Health Park Care Center.

Silbert's condition is unknown.

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to follow these 10 simple steps to be safe and responsible on the water:

1.   Always wear your life jacket.

2.   Avoid mixing alcohol and boating.

3.   Check your flares, fire extinguisher and other safety equipment to be certain it is in good condition and up-to-date.  The Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons offer free vessel safety checks that can help identify these or any other potential programs.  Know your boat and its passengers.

4.  Familiarize yourself with an online weather service so it becomes a routine part of your pre-departure planning. Knowing potential conditions before you go makes float planning easier.  The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly.  Tune your VHF marine radio to 162.4 MHz or log onto the National Weather Service website at: www.nws.noaa.gov.

5.  Tell a friend, family member or marina harbormaster where you are going and file a float plan.  If you change plans, let them know.

6.  Purchase an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB.  Register it with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Registration is mandatory, improves response and reduces false alarms.  It can also be completed online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov.

7.  Keep updated navigational charts on your boat and use them.   

8.  Mariners are reminded that cell phones are not considered a reliable means of communication while on the water. The coast guard recommends a VHF-FM Marine band radio. Register your marine radio and obtain a free MMSI number that is assigned to a DSC radio.  

9.  Shut off your engines when approaching swimmers or divers.

10.  Take at least one certified boating safety course.