Coast Guard responds to vessel fire 30 miles east of Miami Beach
by U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast 14 Dec 2018 15:48 PST
The pleasure craft, Family Time, sits in the water on fire approximately 30 miles east of Miami Beach, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) responded to the vessel on fire to assist the survivors © Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally
The Coast Guard rescued three boaters from the water Friday approximately 30 miles east of Miami Beach after their 60-foot vessel, Family Time, caught on fire.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Miami Beach watchstanders received a report from the owner of the vessel via VHF-FM radio of a fire breaking out in the engine room and the three boaters abandoning ship onto a 23-foot tender.
At approximately 3:25 p.m. the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) crew arrived on scene and rescued all three boaters with no reported injuries. The owner plans to return to the scene with commercial salvage to recover the vessel.
"While we were conducting our patrol our watchstanders noticed a plume of black smoke on the horizon and quickly took action," said Lt. Joshua Tucker, commanding officer of the cutter Robert Yered. "Anytime there is a maritime emergency, time is essential. In this case, we were able to quickly get on scene and verify everyone from the pleasure craft was able to get off safely."