Coast Guard rescues 2 men from capsized sailboat near Dry Tortugas

Electronic positioning beacon helps Coast Guard find boaters

KEY WEST, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people whose 37-foot sailboat capsized early Wednesday about 35 miles northwest of the Dry Tortugas.

An electronic positioning indicating radio beacon alerted the Coast Guard to the capsized boat shortly before 5:30 a.m.

A Coast Guard cutter and helicopter were dispatched to the location, and the helicopter crew spotted the two men sitting on the hull of the capsized boat.

Both men were hoisted to safety and flown to Key West International Airport.

Monroe County Fire Rescue personnel examined the men, but no medical concerns were reported.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Nathan Webb credited the boat's EPIRB with helping them find the boaters quickly.

"The minutes or hours it saves could be the difference between life and death," Webb said.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.