JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard stationed at Mayport got out to sea fast to rescue five people from a capsized boat on Sunday morning.
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Crew members BM1 Tyler Vance, BM3 Logan Alexander, BM3 Misael Azocar and MK3 Christian Celino were called to a location more than 10 miles offshore for a capsized boat with five people huddled together on top of it.
Back on station was ME3 Fabian Perez, who was the communications watch-stander, and the Officer of The Day MK2 Thomas Aveni, helping guide the crew on the water.
“When we talked to the captain on board, he said that due to the waves they were taking water over the back. It was adding water to the boat and he had a bilge pump that wasn’t keeping up with the amount of water coming on board,” Celino said.
RELATED: Fishing trip turns into survival rescue story miles off Mayport
Once they managed to get on top of the upside-down craft, the family was not turning the boat back over.
“They have all five of those guys just sitting in the back of that thing,” Celino said.
The first people on the scene were some fishermen who calmed the stranded family and helped guide the Coast Guard to them.
“The guys on the boat, the good Samaritans had a radio and a GPS, and they were able to give us a GPS position,” Celino said.
That helped the Coast Guard get there. They were able to find their family, float right up to them, and safely bring them on board.
“So, the current drifted their boat right to us when we pulled up. And we just grabbed hands with everybody, and they all just leaped on board,” Celino said.
For the crew who went out there, rescuing the family is why they do their job.
“Seeing the family reunite is everything and the joy of bringing a family member back, I remember with this case, specifically when we brought one of the guys back, he had a family, his wife, and his three kids were there and that is all we need to see,” Celino said.
That is all in one day’s work, but it is the days of consecutive training and focus that allow a crew like this to move fast.
“When we get on duty for our duty period, we come up with a plan on who is our crew and what role everybody has,” Celino said.
Their role on Wednesday was to show News4JAX how they do their job and to let you know the guardians of the First Coast will do everything they can to find you.
“It is our job,” Celino said. “I mean, it can get a little rough on your mind when you are out here for hours at a time but just stay strong and have hope and we’ll be out there to come get you.”
Coast Guard member Thomas Aveni joined us on The Morning Show to share more about rescues.