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.
#BreakingNews @USCG rescued two boaters with EPIRB from capsized sailing vessel 35 miles NW of Dry Tortugas. No medical concerns reported. pic.twitter.com/OrM5MrDVzf
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 12, 2016
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.