Coast Guard Rescues Lone Boater Stranded Off Aripeka

ARIPEKA, FL -- The Coast Guard rescued a 55-year-old man from a 25-foot boat Saturday, April 21, approximately 1 mile west of Aripeka.

Rescued was Jeffrey Statkus of Brooksville. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a 911 relay from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at approximately 10:41 p.m. Friday stating Statkus ran aground and was in need of emergency assistance.

A 24-foot Response Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown and an HCSO marine unit responded, but were unable to assist due to the location and depth of water.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk air crew was launched at 1:44 a.m. The air crew hoisted Statkus at 2:25 a.m. and transported him to Air Station Clearwater. No injuries were reported.

"Fortunately, Statkus had his life jacket on and was also equipped with a flare and a spot light," said Petty Officer 1st Class Matt Bonneau, operation unit controller at Sector St. Petersburg. "This was a successful rescue because he properly prepared himself with life-saving safety gear before he got underway."

Video via Coast Guard