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Courtesy photos / U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard rescued a father and son 20-miles off the coast just before noon Wednesday after Bruce Falco, age unknown, radioed in a distress call that his 25-foot center console boat was taking on water and about to capsize, which it did in a matter of minutes. He and his son, Michael Falco, 15, of Orange City, were rescued as shown in these photos.
Listen to the distress call by clicking the link below:http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1030881
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Coast Guard rescued a father and son 20 miles off shore after a 25-foot center console boat began sinking and later capsized Wednesday.
Rescued were Bruce Falco, age unknown, and Michael Falco, 15, of Orange City, Fla. The Coast Guard received a mayday distress call at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday from the elder Falco who reported his vessel was sinking.
The mayday call was made via VHF Channel 16, which serves as the primary means for mariners to contact the Coast Guard in a distress
A Coast Guard 25-foot rescue boat crew from Station Ponce de Leon Inlet arrived on scene at 11:45 a.m. and rescued both survivors who were waiting on the hull of the capsized boat.
"The survivors were unable to get their life jackets on and treaded water before climbing on to the hull as they waited for Coast Guard personnel to arrive on scene," a Coast Guard spokesman said. In addition, an MH-60 helicopter rescue crew from Naval Air Station Jacksonville was on stand-by to assist as needed.
Fast Facts
The Coast Guard reminds all mariners and recreational boaters on the importance of safeguarding themselves in the event of a maritime emergency.
- Life jackets save lives.
- In addition, marine band radios, signaling equipment such as flares, food and water and a registered emergency position indicating radio beacon aboard your vessel to assist rescue crews in pinpointing the vessel's location in an emergency are vital safeguards to safety at sea.