Story by U.S. Coast Guard,
8th District Public Affairs

GULFPORT, MS - A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew based out of New Orleans rescued two men off the Gulfport coast late Friday night.  The men were on a 12-foot aluminum skiff traveling from Bayou Caddy to Bayou Bolan when their vessel capsized.

The gentlemen were reported overdue to Coast Guard Station Gulfport by a family member.  The rescue helicopter launched from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and experienced heavy rain showers, strong winds, and extremely low visibility in the search area.  During a break in the weather, the helicopter crew used night-vision goggles to locate the overturned vessel and the two men in the Point Clear wetlands.  The helicopter crew rapidly hoisted the men and airlifted them in stable condition to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.  EMS provided further transportation to Garden Park Hospital for evaluation.

Filing a float plan with a family member and a break in the weather helped the Coast Guard save these individuals.  The Coast Guard recommends all boaters take the following actions prior to leaving the dock:

• Provide someone with a copy of your float plan (you get the float plan at www.floatplancentral.org),

• Always wear a lifejacket,

• Outfit your vessel with a VHF-FM radio,

• Carry signaling devices such as red flares.