Coast Guard rescues boaters during Tropical Storm Debby

The boaters faced 50 knot winds
The pair were in 15-20 foot seas
The Coast Guard air crew stepped in

Updated: Aug 5, 2024 / 05:37 PM CDT

(NewsNation) — The Coast Guard aircrew came to the aid of two boaters who were caught adrift off Boca Grande.

In a press release issued Monday by the United States Coast Guard, the boaters were amidst 15-20 foot seas and winds around 50 knots.

No one was injured prior to, or during the rescue. The rescue team hoisted the boaters from their vessel and into the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.

A friend of the two boaters alerted the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders on Saturday evening after they had missed check-in from from Key West to Tarpon Springs.

“Some of the most important factors in any search and rescue case is accurate information and safety equipment,” Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper, Coast Guard District Seven search and rescue mission coordinator, said in the release.

“We received an updated satellite position from the boaters’ friend, which led to them being successfully located. This rescue was a collaborative effort between District Seven and Sector St. Petersburg while Tropical Storm Debby crossed the region.”

Debby made landfall on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of Florida and Georgia on Monday.