| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
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| Press Release |
Date: Aug. 26, 2005 Contact: |
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LARSEN FAMILY HOME SAFE AND SOUND AFTER STORM CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- The Larsen family arrived home safe this evening after being rescued and interviewed by the Coast Guard. The interview revealed that when the family headed out they believed the weather would remain favorable due to the hurricane's projected path. However, that was not the case and by 7 p.m. Thursday their 24-foot cabin cruiser, Sea Note, ran out of gas as a result of being severely slowed by the deteriorating weather. Edward Larsen had attempted to reach Everglade City when he realized gas was low, but only made it about 10 miles offshore of the area. The family anchored and prepared to ride out the storm but the intense weather conditions eventually dragged them to a deserted mangrove island on the southwest coast of Ten Thousand Islands. The Coast Guard received notification of the overdue family at 8:42 Thursday night and began searching. Although stranded, the Larsens became reassured when they heard the Coast Guard's Urgent Marine Information Broadcasts on their radio indicating a search for them was in progress. Although they could not transmit, the Larsens said this reassurance uplifted them and helped them stay positive throughout the night, along with playing games. A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater C-130 arrived in the search area spanning between Cape Coral and Marathon, Fla. about 1:30 a.m. but was only able to search for three hours due to severe weather conditions. The search was unable to resume again until 1:30 p.m. today. An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HH-25 Falcon jet from Coast Guard Air Station Miami began searching Florida Bay as an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater conducted a shoreline search and a C-130 prepared to cover the large search area once again. At 2:30 a member of the Larsen family spotted the Falcon jet and the Jayhawk helicopter and shot off a signal flare. The Jayhawk immediately hoisted the family and brought them to Fort Myers Southwest Regional Airport. They arrived safely at 3:30. The Larsens were not in need of medical attention and headed home after telling their story and articulating their appreciation. "Thank you so much to everyone in the Coast Guard who took part in saving our lives," said Edward Larsen. The Larsens will arrange for commercial salvage to retrieve their vessel. ### The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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