ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Five people were rescued by the Coast Guard after the 32-foot boat they were aboard began taking on water 12 miles west of Cedar Key, Monday.

A member aboard the boat contacted Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 1:31 p.m., via VHF-FM channel 16 radio reporting they had lost an engine, were taking on water and in need of assistance.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater arrived on scene, hoisted all five people and are transporting them to Crystal River Airport were they will be transferred to emergency medical personnel.

No injuries were reported.

"Having a marine band radio aboard was essential to being able to communicate with the crew and get to them quickly before the situation deteriorated," said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, a search and rescue watchstander at the sector.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, located two 22-year-old males on a jet ski four miles west of Hernando Beach, Fla., at 7 a.m. on Monday.

The two males were safely hoisted from their jet ski and will be transported to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater where EMS crews will be waiting to medically evaluate them. 

The Coast Guard along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Hernando County Sheriff's Office searched for the two 22-year-old males who left on a purple jet ski from a private dock in Pine Island, Sunday.

Hernando County Sheriff's Office contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 10:45 p.m., reporting the two men left the dock around 6 p.m., and have not been heard from according to one of the men's girlfriend. It was also reported, they did not have lights, flares, radio or a cell phone, but did have life jackets and a whistle.

A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, crews from FWC and crews from Hernando County Sheriff's Office were involved in the search for the men.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Hernando County Sheriff's Office are searching for two 22-year-old males who left on a purple jet ski from a private dock in Pine Island, Sunday.

Hernando County Sheriff's Office contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 10:45 p.m., reporting the two men left the dock around 6 p.m., and have not been heard from according to one of the men's girlfriend. It was also reported, they did not have lights, flares, radio or a cell phone, but did have life jackets and a whistle.

A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, crews from FWC and crews from Hernando County Sheriff's Office are on scene searching for the men.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have suspended their search at 2 p.m., Sunday for two males after their 21-foot boat capsized 13 miles west of Horseshoe Beach.

Missing are Tom Morrison, 65, Jacksonville, and Glenn Harris, 70.

Crews searched approximately 13 hours and covered 2,537 square miles before it was confirmed by FWC, Frank Dipaula, 78, of Keystone Heights, and Tom Grant, 67., that Morrison and Harris succumbed to hypothermia and disappeared below the surface Saturday.

Dipaula and Grant survived the capsizing.

An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, crews from FWC, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, homported in St. Petersburg, and Dixie County Sheriff's Office members searched for the men.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two of the four men reported overdue were rescued nine miles west of Horseshoe Beach by Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews Sunday after the 21-foot boat they were aboard capsized.

Rescued were Frank Dipaula, 78, Keystone Heights, and Tom Grant, 67., who were both wearing life jackets.

Missing are Tom Morrison, 65, Jacksonville, and Glenn Harris, late seventies.

An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, spotted the capsized vessel with people in the water. FWC arrived on scene and removed Dipaula and Grant from the water, who were reported disoriented and exhausted, and transferred them to emergency medical personnel.

A Hercules and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from the air station, crews from FWC an the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, homported in St. Petersburg, are searching for Morrison and Harris.

Weather conditions in the area are three to four-foot seas with 10 to 15 knot winds.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard along with parner agencies are searching Sunday for four men reported overdue aboard 21-foot boat with a white hull and blue top.

Missing are Frank Dipaula, 78, Keystone Heights, Tom Morrison, 65, Jacksonville, Tom Grant, 67, and Glen Harris, late seventies.

The wife of Grant contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 11:25 p.m., stating she was expecting a phone call from her husband before dark and never received one. She also reported the boat left Horseshoe Beach Boat Ramp at approximately 7:30 a.m., Saturday.

An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, crews from FWC, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, homported in St. Petersburg, and Dixie County Sheriff's Office members are searching for the men.

Weather conditions in the area are two-foot seas with 17 knot winds.

If anyone has any information or has seen the four men, contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 727-824-7506.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard crews along with local agencies are searching for a 19-year-old male last seen near South Lido County Park, Saturday.

Missing is Steve Rieser.

Sarasota County contacted Coast Guard Station Cortez watchstanders at approximately 7 p.m., after receiving a 911 call reporting Reiser went under the water and did not resurface.

A 25-foot Response Boat — Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Cortez, Sarasota Fire and Rescue crew, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crew and a Sarasota County helicopter crew are currently searching for Rieser. 

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Four adults and one child were rescued by the Coast Guard after their 22-foot boat began taking on water 15 miles west of Clearwater, Saturday.

A member aboard the boat contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 12:50 p.m., via VHF-FM channel 16 radio reporting they were taking on water, had their life jackets on and were in need of assistance.

A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Sand Key arrived on scene, transferred all five people to the RB-M, took the boat in tow and is transporting them to Clearwater Pass.

No injuries were reported.

"They had life jackets, flares and a VHF-FM radio aboard," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brittan Duhon. "We understand things happen and it was good to see they had some safety equipment aboard to assist them in case the situation deteriorated."

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A 28-year-old man was medically evacuated by the Coast Guard 46 miles west of Tarpons Springs, Saturday.

A crewmember aboard the 36-foot recreational boat, Private Stock, contacted Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 11:37 p.m., via VHF-FM channel 16 radio reporting the man was experiencing stomach cramps, cold sweats and tremors.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater arrived on scene, hoisted the patient and trasported him to Tampa General Hospital in stable condition.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg crewmembers held a change of command ceremony at the Mahaffey Theater, Wednesday.

Capt. Gregory D. Case relieved Capt. Sheryl L. Dickinson as the sector commander during the official change of command ceremony. A military unit's change of command is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

Rear Adm. William D. Baumgartner, 7th Coast Guard District’s commander, presided over the ceremony where local, state and federal dignitaries were in attendance.

During Dickinson’s command, she served as Captain of the Port overseeing almost 29,000 vessel movements in Tampa Bay.  As Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Dickinson headed the maritime safety and security operations in support of the 2012 Republican National Convention. As the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for marine environmental protection, Dickinson led the Florida Peninsula Command Post for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. Furthermore, she also served as Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator saving 630 lives and more than $45M in property. As officer-in-charge of Marine Inspections, Dickinson regulated safety and security for vessels and waterfront facilities for the largest industrial port in Florida.

Dickinson will be reporting to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to serve as Acting Director, Incident Management and Preparedness Policy. Case reports from the 5th Coast Guard District Portsmouth, Va., where he served as Chief of Prevention since July 2011.

Sector’s area of responsibility covers more than 400 miles of Florida coastline from Apalachicola Bay to Everglades City and includes Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor and the Intracoastal Waterway. Sector’s crew conducts marine environmental protection, marine safety and maritime security operations while also providing logistical support and operational control for Coast Guard units conducting search and rescue and maritime law enforcement missions.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Florida and to work with the maritime community of the Tampa Bay area," said Dickinson. The men and women of Sector St. Petersburg are the most capable and professional Coast Guardsmen I have served with, and I am proud to have been their sector commander.”

Case reports for duty accompanied by his wife, Erin and four children: Lauren 23, Megan 22, Samantha 20 and Elle 6.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard members opened a new Association of Naval Services Officers chapter during an official inauguration cermony at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Tuesday.

Lt.j.g Carlos Ortega-Perez, president of the ANSO of Tampa Bay, Fla., SA William "Billy" Flores Chapter, signed the certificate of Inauguration with Rear Adm. William D. Baumgartner, 7th Coast Guard District’s commander, during the ceremony to make the chapter official.

ANSO is a professional and service organization composed of members of all ranks and ethnic groups, including active duty, reserve and retired officers, as well as midshipmen, cadets, enlisted personnel and interested civilians who are dedicated to promoting and supporting diversity as a key component to the success of the sea services.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, a 210-foot Reliance class cutter homeported here, returned Saturday after a 40-day deployment in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits, and Windward Passage.

In support of the 7th Coast Guard District, the crew of the Resolute partnered with the Royal Bahamian Defense Force and was joined by the first female RBDF ship rider. 

The Resolute’s crew, a compliment of 12 officers and 62 enlisted personnel, worked in conjunction with Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg to conduct two living marine resource boardings and several commercial vessels inspections for compliance with fishing and safety regulations in the Gulf of Mexico.

The crew also hosted the first ever Turks and Caicos Islands ship rider while patrolling TCI waters for illegal alien migration.

In addition to completing 108 training drills and 33 helicopter evolutions, the Resolute's crew made two port calls in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They hosted the deputy commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the commander of Port Security Unit 311. 

Medium endurance cutters like the Resolute are slated for replacement by new Offshore Patrol Cutters. The new OPCs will operate more than 50 miles from land, carrying out the Coast Guard's maritime security and safety activities in support of national interests. The OPC will be an economical, multi-mission ship, providing pursuit boat and helicopter capabilities and interoperability with other military and federal partners, superior to the cutters they replace. Equipped with modern sensors, the OPCs will provide the enhanced surveillance necessary to detect threats far from U.S. shores and meet the demands of the Coast Guard's homeland security, search and rescue, law enforcement, and other vital missions.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John P. Chandler relieved Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Hinote, former commanding officer of Station Yankeetown, during a change of command ceremony at the Yankeetown-Inglis Womens Club, Friday.

During Hinote’s command, Station Yankeetown’s crew logged more than 4,375 hours underway conducting 590 search and rescue cases off the shores of Florida’s coastline from Rock Point to Aripeka. During the station’s patrols, the crew performed 921 maritime law enforcement boardings, and more than 240 Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security missions, resulting in 61 lives saved and the preservation of more than $700,000 in property. 

Hinote will be reporting to Station Oregon Inlet, N.C., to become the officer-in-charge.

Chandler reports from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth, Va., where he served as the executive petty officer since May 2012.

Station Yankeetown’s area of responsibility covers 3,500 miles of Florida coastline that reaches into the inlets and bays of Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to the crew’s primary duties, the crew performs extensive community outreach such as hosting, mentoring Naval Sea Cadets and working hand-and-hand with numerous Auxiliary Flotillas.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A boater was rescued by Coast Guardsmen after his 30-foot sailboat began to drift into the Cortez Road Bridge Thursday.

While on patrol, a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew, from Coast Guard Station Cortez, received a distress call at 10:30 a.m. from a boater stating he was drifting uncontrollably.

The boatcrew arrived on seen at 10:36 a.m. to find the vessel dragging three anchors due to the high winds from Tropical Storm Andrea. The boatcrew placed the vessel in tow, cut the anchor lines and towed the vessel away before it received any damage or was forced under the bridge.

The mariner was towed to Coquina boat ramp, and no injuries were reported.
 
"Boaters should take necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety due to strong, gusty winds associated with the outer weather bands of tropical storms," said Petty Officer 1st Class Russell Akerman, the executive petty officer at the station. "Heavy seas, significant rain and damaging winds may accompany storms and present serious dangers to boaters. Rescue and assistance by the Coast Guard and other agencies may be degraded as storms approach."

For video of the rescue, click here.

Click here to learn more about helping mariners protect themselves, their families and their vessels. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Coast Guard is encouraging boaters to stay off the water Thursday due to the approach of Tropical Storm Andrea impacting the Tampa area.
 
Adverse weather effects generated by a tropical storm or hurricane can cover an area hundreds of miles wide. Even those recreational boaters and the maritime industry that fall outside of the direct path of the storm are advised to be cognizant of dangerous weather conditions and take appropriate precautions to stay safe and minimize damage.
 
Boaters, especially those from Tampa along the Gulf Coast to Yankeetown, are urged to secure their vessels. Those who heed the warnings of the Coast Guard and local law enforcement authorities will keep themselves and first responders out of danger.
 
Boaters should take necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety due to strong gusty winds associated with the outer weather bands of tropical storms. Heavy seas, significant rain and damaging winds may accompany and present serious dangers to boaters. Rescue and assistance by the Coast Guard and other agencies may be degraded as the storm approaches.
 
Drawbridges along the coast may deviate from normal operating procedures prior to a storm. They are generally authorized to remain closed up to eight hours prior to the approach of gale force winds of 34 knots or greater and whenever an evacuation is ordered. Because of the uncertainty of weather movements and related bridge closures, mariners should seek passage through drawbridges well in advance of the arrival of gale force winds. When in doubt, check in advance with the local Coast Guard marine safety office.
 
Here are a few tips to help mariners protect themselves, their families and their vessels:

• Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat if you know a storm is approaching.
• Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your vessel. Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise you on the best methods for securing your boat.
• Take action now. The effects of a storm can be felt well in advance. 
• Check with local authorities before entering any storm-damaged area. Do not rush to your boat. Boaters should not place themselves in danger to get to a boat.
• Do not try to reach your boat if it has been forced into the water and is surrounded by debris. Wait until authorities have made safe access available. Do not try to board a partially sunken boat. Seek salvage assistance from a professional.
• Storms move quickly and are unpredictable.