3 People On Sinking Fishing Boat Rescued

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Three people were rescued from the water by a Coast Guard aircrew after their 27-foot fishing boat sank 23 miles west of Steinhatchee River, Florida, Tuesday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a call from a man stating that his boat was flooding and would soon be underwater. He stated that all three people were wearing life jackets. A C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, was diverted, arrived on-scene and located the three people, in life jackets, clinging to the overturned boat. The aircrew dropped a life raft for the people to stay in until further assistance arrived. A 27-foot Utility Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, Florida, and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater were also launched. The Jahawk arrived on scene, hoisted all three people and transported them to the air station. "Proper communications and lifejackets are imperative when operating on the water," said Lt. Micheal Persun, a command duty officer at the sector. "It is only because of their VHF radio that the Coast Guard was made aware of this incident. Wearing lifejackets and staying with the overturned vessel like the Coast Guard recommends was also key to the quick rescue of these boaters."