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FWC rescues four fishermen after
27-hour ordeal
May 16, 2007
Contact: Karen Parker (386) 758-0525
An offshore patrol of the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rescued four fishermen in
good condition May 9, 27 hours after their 18-foot runabout sank
in rough seas off Hernando Beach.
Rescued were the owner and operator of the boat,
Rodney D. Rogers of Weirsdale, Bill Broyles and Arthur Hall of
Fruitland Park, and Carl L. Tucker of Leesburg.
The search began after a worried girlfriend
called the Coast Guard at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to report
the men were 14 hours overdue. The Coast Guard called the FWC to
join in the search-and-rescue mission. The only information the
agencies had was that three men had left Homosassa at 8 p.m.
Tuesday and were expected back home by 10 that night.
The FWC dispatched two of its offshore patrol
boats, the Guardian and the Fincat, to the Homosassa area to
join the effort. Another FWC officer went to Homosassa to gather
shore-side information and locate the truck and boat trailer.
A check of boat registrations indicated the
group may have been using an 18-foot runabout. Spearfishing gear
found in the truck and information about bait the men had bought
led Lt. Ken Mazzeo, skipper of the Guardian, southward and
offshore to a popular spearfishing spot. After searching for
about an hour, Mazzeo reasoned that rough conditions from the
15- to 20-knot wind may have forced the men to fish closer to
shore.
The crew of the Guardian picked up a radar
contact 11 miles off Hernando Beach and investigated. At 3 p.m.
they found the four fishermen clinging to the capsized hull of
their boat in 17 feet of water where it had overturned the day
before.
Mazzeo believes the men were alive because of
three things they did right: they wore their life jackets; they
stayed with the boat; and they anchored the boat to prevent it
from drifting.
In recent years, the FWC has acquired a fleet of
offshore patrol vessels of various sizes and capabilities
through cooperative agreements with NOAA. Some of the newer
vessels are state-of-the-art designs, capable of speeds over 40
knots under rough-sea conditions. They also are equipped with
infrared television monitors and other sophisticated tools.
The agency operates offshore boats in two
distinct classes. The Guardian is an example of the Endurance
Class offshore patrol boats, capable of extended patrol in
offshore areas in various weather conditions. They range from 45
to 85 feet in length. These vessels have berthing and support
facilities and can operate on multi-day missions without
returning to port.
Intermediate Class offshore patrol boats, like
the Fincat, are a new and developing concept within the fleet.
At around 32 feet long, they are somewhat larger than standard
near-shore patrol vessels. They are capable of short-duration
day patrols of offshore areas in varying weather conditions.
"This case is proof positive that the FWC's
Offshore Patrol initiative is working to protect Florida's
citizens and natural resources. And it shows the
professionalism, expertise and commitment FWC officers display
in performing their duties every day," said Capt. Brad Williams,
supervisor for the FWC’s offshore patrol fleet.
"The FWC recommends boaters leave a float plan
with someone on shore, in case of emergency,” Mazzeo said.
"Also, it’s important to have all the required safety equipment,
be aware of weather and sea conditions and have a radio or
cellular phone for communication.”
For more information on boating safety, visit
MyFWC.com. |
