Editor's note: Coast Guard b-roll and photos for Hurricane Milton can be found on Dvidshub.net
MIAMI - A Coast Guard Air Station Miami helicopter crew rescued a man, Thursday, approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key following Hurricane Milton.
The aircrew brought the man to Tampa General Hospital for further care, after he was found clinging to a cooler wearing a life jacket at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Airplane and helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater currently deployed to Aviation Training Center Mobile for storm avoidance, and Air Station Miami launched at approximately 5:30 a.m. to search for the missing captain.
Monday, the captain of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders, at approximately 12:40 p.m., he and a crew member were disabled approximately 20 miles off John's Pass.
A Coast Guard Station Sand Key rescue boat crew and a Air Station Clearwater rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene. The aircrew hoisted the two people and brought them back to Air Station Clearwater in good condition. The vessel was left adrift and salvage arrangements were to be made.
Wednesday, around noon, the owner of the fishing vessel Capt. Dave reported to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders the captain went back out to the boat to make repairs at approximately 3 a.m. and hadn't checked in. Watchstanders were able to make radio contact with the captain who reported the rudder was fouled with a line and became disabled during his transit back to port.
The weather at the time was 6-8 foot seas, and approximately 30 mph winds but quickly deteriorating as the storm approached. The captain was instructed by the Coast Guard to don a life jacket and stay with the vessel's emergency position indicating radio beacon. Watchstanders lost communications at approximately 6:45 p.m, Wednesday evening.
“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner," said Lt. Cmdr. Dana Grady, Sector St. Petersburg's command center chief. "To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90 mph winds, 20-25 foot seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight. He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler."
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