COAST GUARD ASSISTS BOATERS TAKING ON WATER NEAR SKYWAY

DATE: October 28, 2004 1:18:02 PM EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District

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Press Release

Date:
Oct. 27, 2004

Contact:
(727) 893-3140/3142

COAST GUARD ASSISTS BOATERS
TAKING ON WATER NEAR SKYWAY
**photos available**

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Crews from U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg responded to a call from two boaters on board a 19-foot vessel taking on water one mile northeast of the Skyway Bridge this afternoon.

The boaters, Joe and Steve Palardis of Tampa, and their two dogs Bobo and Bull, were spending the day fishing near the bridge when their bilge pump stopped working and their boat began taking on water. They called 911 using their cell phone at 1:30 p.m.

Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg immediately responded, dispatching two 25-foot rescue boats to the location of the sinking vessel. Within 15 minutes the Coast Guard crews were on-scene with the boats and transferred a P-6 pump to the vessel.

Although the pump was able to remove the water from the vessel, the boat's bilge pump was still inoperable. The Coast Guard took the vessel in tow and towed the boat, the two men and their dogs to O'Neill's Marina in St. Petersburg.

Although there were no injuries or damage in this case, the Coast Guard reminds boaters of the importance of making sure the equipment on board their vessels is in good working order. Also, although a cell phone was used in this case, the Coast Guard recommends that all boaters have a VHF-FM radio on board their vessel.

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VSL TOW 27Oct04 6

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, Steve Palardis assists Fireman Sheldon Bond tie up to his sinking vessel as Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Joelson helps keep his rescue boat alongside. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

VSL TOW 27Oct04 1

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, Fireman Sheldon Bond inserts a dewatering pump hose into the flooded bilge as Steve Palardis bails out some of the excessive water that caused his boat to begin to sink. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

VSL TOW 27Oct04 2

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, Steve Palardis and his brother Joe discuss the day's harrowing event as Coast Guard crews continue to assess the situation as well. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

VSL TOW 27Oct04 3

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, The Palardis brothers and a father and son dog duo, Bobo and Bull, anxiously greet the arrival of a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg. The brothers called for help while heading out on a fishing trip when they noticed the stern of their vessel was slowly sinking. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

VSL TOW 27Oct04 4

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, Fireman Sheldon Bond (front) and Petty Officer 2nd Class Fernando Lopez inspect the progress of their dewatering pump. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

VSL TOW 27Oct04 5

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Oct. 27, 2004, Steve Palardis reviews a map given to him by Petty Officer 2nd Class Fernando Lopez to help him identify local safety and security zones. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA1 Danielle DeMarino.

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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