Man rescued from vessel collision near Sanibel

Writer: Melissa Montoya
Published: Updated:
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued an 83-year-old man after two vessels collided 30 miles from Sanibel. (CREDIT: U.S. Coast Guard)

An 83-year-old man was transported via helicopter to Tampa General Hospital on Thursday after two vessels crashed 30 miles west of Sanibel Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the man was transported with a leg injury. A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 45-foot response boat was part of the rescue mission. The boat crew assisted in hoisting the man into the helicopter.

The U.S. Coast Guard in St. Petersburg was notified of a vessel collision at around 6:30 p.m. The good Samaritan who reported the collision also said one of the vessels was inoperable.

Commercial salvage crews were able to tow the vessel back to shore.

“The Coast Guard urges mariners to always have the proper safety gear on board when getting on the water and if transiting off-shore to always have an emergency position locator beacon,” said Capt. Matthew Thompson, Sector St. Petersburg commander. “Not only should people wear life jackets, it is also important for mariners to use their navigation lights at night, check the weather before going out, have a marine radio and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon available in case of an emergency.”

The incident is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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