CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Station Sand Key boat crew rescued a diver, Tuesday, after he was reported missing while spearfishing from a 32-foot recreational boat, 16 miles northwest of Anclote Key.
No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders were notified that two divers entered the water to spearfish and only one resurfaced, prompting Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders to deploy air and surface crews to search.
The responding Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater aircrew aboard an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter arrived on scene and located the diver who was then promptly recovered by the Station Sand Key boat crew and safely transported back to the recreational boat.
“Within 20 minutes of searching, this gentleman was located 16 miles offshore and recovered by a Coast Guard small boat crew,” said Lt. Sayre D. Joseph, Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60T aircraft commander. “Mariners can help themselves by carrying a radio,
EPIRB or
PLB to communicate distress to Coast Guard watchstanders when an urgent situation arises while at sea, helping us find them quickly and safely.”
