Tarpon Springs Fishermen Rescued By Coast Guard

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Two fisherman on a boat out of Tarpon Springs were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Thursday morning after their vessel began taking on water about 20 miles west of the Anclote River.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a mayday call via VHF-FM marine band radio around 7:53 a.m., the guard reported in an email to media. The Nomad, a 36-foot vessel, was taking on water and crew members Michael Westfall and William Alley were unable to keep up with the flood water, the agency said.

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater deployed a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew to the scene. A 45-foot medium rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Sand Key was also deployed. The crews located the Nomad around 8:41 a.m. and began dewatering operations, the Coast Guard email said.

The two men and the Nomad were ultimately towed back to the Holiday Seafood sponge docks in Tarpon Springs, the Coast Guard reported.

There were no injuries reported.

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

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