The Coast Guard rescued three people Wednesday from the water approximately 6 miles south of Sugarloaf Key.
Rescued were Sean Johnson, 49, Craig Zetwick, 54, and Ken Kuhfuss, 47.
Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report via VHF-FM radio channel 16 from a crewmember stating their 30-foot vessel capsized.
Coast Guard Station Key West launched a Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew who arrived on scene to find one person on the hull, two holding onto the vessel without life jackets and rescued all three passengers with no reported injuries.
Station Key West crewmembers transfer three people to safety after rescuing them from a capsized vessel Jan. 9, 2019 approximately six miles east of Sugarloaf Key. Photo by Seaman Erik Villa Rodriguez
“While the utilization of a VHF-FM radio was crucial in the success of this mission, it’s important to make sure that boaters have all of their safety equipment in order before they set sail,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray, a Coast Guard spokesperson. “Equipment such as flares, life jackets and an electronic position indicating radio beacon are crucial in capsized vessel situations, and play a big factor in the success of a rescue.”