Boaters Rescued Off Coast Of Jacksonville
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This time the story had a good ending.
Six people were rescued in the Atlantic about 90 miles east of Jacksonville after their boat started to sink.
Luckily for the group, a good Samaritan saw the boat with the six aboard as it was taking on water. He called the Coast Guard to aid in the rescue.
A Coast Guard helicopter came from Clearwater to pick up the passengers, and a Coast Guard jet came from Miami with a de-watering pump the boaters could use. Also a Navy P-3 aircraft was used to help spot the sinking boat.
Unlike the recent boating accident that took the lives of three men in the Gulf, this time the boaters had their life jackets on.
The U.S. Coast Guard estimates life jackets could save the lives of about 80 percent of those killed in boating accidents. The boat owner has the responsibility to remind everyone onboard to wear their jackets because accidents happen swiftly leaving little time to reach a stowed jacket.
If you are suddenly thrown from a boat during a collision, a life jacket will keep you afloat, as it will if you are plunged into freezing water, if thrown off balance while fishing, or sinking in heavy seas. And remember, adults jackets will not work on a child.
There really is no good excuse not to wear a life vest.