ICYMI: 4 US Sailors En Route to Florida Rescued After Sailboat Sinks in Dangerous Waters
Four Americans heading to Florida were saved from a sinking sailboat after a dramatic rescue involving the Coast Guard. đ #News #KeyWestFL #Florida #Rescue
KEY WEST, FL – Four American sailors heading for Key West, Florida clung to life in a small raft after their sailboat sank in the unforgiving waters of the Atlantic. Stranded 180 miles northwest of Puerto Rico, their hope rested on an emergency signal that sparked a daring rescue involving both air and sea. Thanks to quick action by the U.S. Coast Guard and the heroic efforts of nearby vessels, all four were brought to safety after enduring a harrowing ordeal.
Emergency Signal Sparks Coast Guard Action
The distress call came early Tuesday morning when the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Juan Command Center received an emergency radio signal.
The signal indicated potential danger far out in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Silver Bank waters north of the Dominican Republic.
Without hesitation, the Coast Guard dispatched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico to scour the area. They also alerted vessels in the vicinity to assist in the search.
Among those responding was the U.S.-flagged 720-foot container ship El CoquĂ. As the Coast Guard aircrew scanned the waters, they spotted a small life raft carrying the stranded sailors. The team quickly coordinated with the El CoquĂ and the fishing vessel Bonanza to mount a rescue.
Rescue Mission in the Atlantic
Navigating the hazardous shoal waters, the crew of the Bonanza reached the life raft and rescued the four sailors: David Potts, 63; John Potts, 62; Andrew Cullar, 26; and Russel Case, 67. The survivors were then transferred to the larger El CoquĂ, which was en route to Jacksonville, Florida, where it was expected to arrive Thursday.
The rescued sailors recounted the terrifying sequence of events that led to their plight. Their vessel, the Mariposa, struck a submerged rock before being hit by a massive wave that rolled the boat onto its port side. A second collision with another rock caused catastrophic damage to the hull, flooding the boat and ultimately sinking it beneath the waves.
A Planned Voyage Gone Awry
The men were sailing from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Portofino, Texas, with a stop planned in Key West, Florida.
What should have been a straightforward voyage turned into a life-threatening disaster in one of the oceanâs most perilous regions.
Coast Guard Praises Team Effort
Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Borders, the Coast Guardâs Search and Rescue mission coordinator for this case, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that saved the menâs lives.
âThis incident highlights the importance of having an emergency position indicating radio beacon that is fully functioning and registered in the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] database,â Borders said in a statement.
âOur deepest gratitude goes out to the crews of the fishing vessel Bonanza and of the motor vessel El CoquĂ for selflessly responding in keeping with the honor and tradition of the AMVER merchant vessels that come to the aide of fellow mariners in distress.â
Thanks to the combined efforts of the Coast Guard and the civilian crews, a potential tragedy was averted, bringing relief to the families of the four sailors.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents and Rescues | Florida | Puerto Rico
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