Coast Guard Searches For Missing Crew Member From Seminole Boat

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL -- The Coast Guard is searching for a 63-year-old man in the Gulf of Mexico after a fishing boat sank 70 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach.

At 3:59 a.m. Thursday, March 15, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a distress call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from James Beeman, the captain aboard the 37-foot commercial fishing boat, J.U.M.A., out of Seminole.

Beeman reported the boat was taking on water and he needed emergency assistance.

At the same time, Coast Guard Seventh District watch standers received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert on the J.U.M.A.'s position.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater was launched and rescued the captain and two crew members, Anthony Bertolino and Darren Whalen, who were clinging to life jackets and debris.

The boaters said crew member Dennis Grim was missing, however.

The helicopter crew transported the three boaters to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers to be treated for hypothermia.

An HC-144 Casa fixed-wing aircrew from Air Station Miami, the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, a Station Fort Myers Beach 45-foot response boat and the Jayhawk helicopter crew are searching for the missing boater.

The Coast Guard is asking boaters to keep a lookout for the missing crew member and contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 or (727) 824-7506 with information.

Image via Coast Guard