JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport boat crew and partner agencies rescued two people aboard a vessel taking on water about 7 miles east of the St. Johns River inlet Wednesday.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department marine unit joined the Coast Guard boat crew to dewater the vessel. Station Mayport’s boat crew then towed it back to a local boat ramp.
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The vessel’s owner is working with commercial salvage to have the boat removed from the water.
Fuel spill risk prompts environmental monitoring
The Coast Guard said the vessel had several hundred gallons of fuel on board, posing a potential threat to the marine environment as the boat continued to deteriorate. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville’s Incident Management Division says it closely monitored the vessel’s condition for pollution concerns.
A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine unit and a good Samaritan also responded to assist.
“Coast Guard Southeast crews are proud to work alongside our partner agencies and good Samaritans to protect lives, safeguard the maritime environment, and ensure the safety of our maritime communities,” officials said.