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COAST GUARD RESCUES BOATERS STRUGGLING WITH HIGH WINDS, SEAS OFF FORT MYERS BEACH
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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - Two boaters on board their 37-foot sailboat requested the assistance of the Coast Guard this morning as they were unable to continue to sustain the high winds and seas of Hurricane Jeanne.
The master of the vessel Sol-E-Lume contacted the Coast Guard at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, saying they were having difficulty steering. The Coast Guard remained in contact with the vessel throughout the early morning hours, monitoring the situation.
At about 3:00 a.m. today, as the vessel approached the entrance to San Carlos Bay, the heavy winds actually began pulling the Sol-E-Lume backward. A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 47-foot rescue boat was dispatched to the scene of the sailboat to render assistance. However, due to the high winds and heavy seas, the Coast Guard crew was unable to take the sailboat in tow or remove the two sailors from their vessel. Weather conditions on-scene consisted of 45-50 knot winds and 8-10 foot seas.
Unable to remove the sailors from the vessel, the Coast Guard crew returned to base. Another crew from Station Fort Myers Beach returned to the location of the sailboat and made another attempt to take the vessel in tow or remove the sailors. The boat crew was able to remove the sailors from their vessel who were reportedly suffering from seasickness but otherwise not in need of any immediate medical assistance.
As Hurricane Jeanne continues to cross the state of Florida and winds and seas continue to rise, the Coast Guard may not be able to respond to cases such as this. Coast Guard crews, like all other boaters should have done already, are seeking safe shelter as the conditions worsen, and crews may not be available to respond in emergency situations at all times.
Editor's note: Coast Guard rescue boat, with the two crewmembers from the sailboat, is currently en route Station Fort Myers Beach. Media members are invited to the station to film the arrival of the rescue boat and interview Coast Guard crewmembers about the rescue.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America. |
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