ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Coast Guard crews, along with personnel from other agencies, continue the search for the crew from a 37-foot fishing vessel that was reported to be taking on water Monday, approximately 11 miles east of St. Augustine.
Joining the Coast Guard are crews with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and TowBoat US. The crew aboard the USS Sullivans also provided temporary assistance.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center were notified of the situation at 1:14 p.m., via a distress call on VHF Ch. 16.
The report stated the crewmembers exited the 37-foot fishing vessel and entered a life raft.
A crew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Mayport was launched to respond. A crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah was also launched. An HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Clearwater has joined the search along with an additional Dolphin helicopter crew. The crew aboard the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Shrike is scheduled to search throughout the night.
For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.
For breaking news follow us on Twitter @uscgsoutheast.