| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
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| Press Release | Date: Aug. 26, 2005 Contact: Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil |
COAST GUARD CUTTER PEA ISLAND SAVES THREE PEOPLE ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island, homeported in Tampa, Fla., fought through eight-foot seas and 30-knot winds today to rescue three people aboard the 44-foot, sailing vessel Rita K. The Rita K was reported overdue to Coast Guard Group Galveston, Texas, yesterday after the sailing vessel failed to arrive as planned in Houston on Aug. 21. The Rita K began its voyage on Aug. 15 from Tampa. A Coast Guard C-130 located the vessel approximately 72 nautical miles west of Anna Maria Island. At that time, the Rita K's master indicated that he and his two passengers were in no immediate danger but were in need of assistance back to port as their sails were damaged. The cutter Pea Island was dispatched this morning to assist the Rita K. The crew of the Pea Island relocated the Rita K at about 1 p.m. today and currently has the vessel in tow, heading back to Tampa Bay. CGC Pea Island is a 110-foot patrol boat based in St. Petersburg, Fla. ### The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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