MIAMI — Two boaters who were reported missing off the coast of Marathon, Florida, were located by a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew Wednesday.
Raymond and Davonna Churchill, from Marathon, Florida, were located southeast of Marquesas Keys, Florida, aboard their 41-foot sailing vessel. After locating the pair, the aircrew established a line of communication with the sailing vessel and confirmed that the boaters were not in distress.
At approximately 1 p.m Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received a report from the marina manager at the Keys Boatworks Marina of the Churchills who failed to arrive in Marathon Sunday. Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews to begin searching.
Before embarking a vessel, the Coast Guard strongly encourages boaters to file a float plan by leaving detailed information about their trip with a family member or friend who is staying ashore. Include all information that would help rescuers in case of emergency such as how many people are aboard, where you are leaving from and returning to, your intended route, how long you will be out and a description of your boat.
For more information on float plans please click here.
Assisted with the search:
- Coast Guard Station Key West boatcrew
- Coast Guard Station Marathon boatcrew
- Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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