Fisherman Rescued Moments Before Boat Sinks Near Fort De Soto

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – The Coast Guard rescued a fisherman Thursday night from a 12-foot dinghy moments before it capsized less than a mile west of Fort De Soto.

Watch standers from Sector St. Petersburg received two mayday calls at 7:48 p.m. via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 from a man stating he was beset by weather, taking on water and in need of emergency assistance, the agency said.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater was diverted, and the area's Marine Emergency Response Team was activated.

"This could of been a tragic situation," said Lt. Matthew Mayer, an MH-60 Jayhawk pilot from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. "Thankfully the fisherman had a working VHF radio so he could alert us of the distress immediately and we were able to rescue him in time; however, I recommend all boaters pay close attention to the local forecast before even leaving the dock."

>>>SEE RESCUE VIDEO HERE<<<

The Jayhawk crew arrived at the scene at 8:46 p.m., hoisting the man, minutes before his boat capsized, and transported him to Air Station Clearwater in stable condition, the agency said. No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard did note, however, that the Sector St. Petersburg crews recently have dealt with a steady stream of suspected or confirmed hoax radio calls along the Gulf Coast.

"And this is obviously not one of them," officials said. But "hoax calls divert our resources from real calls like this. Please help us identify the hoax callers in the Cape Coral area by clicking here."

ALSO SEE:

• Rocks Thrown or BB Gun Fired at Motorists on I-75
• Suspect With Fondness for Seafood, Organization, Clean Clothes Sought by Pinellas Deputies

--Image, video via U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET Tampa Bay