ARIPEKA, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued a 55-year-old man from a 25-foot boat Saturday approximately 1 mile west of Aripeka.
Rescued was Jeffrey Statkus, 55, from Brooksville.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a 911 relay from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:41 p.m., Friday stating Statkus ran aground and was in need of emergency assistance.
A 24-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown and an HCSO marine unit responded, but were unable to assist due to the location and depth of water.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew was launched at 1:44 a.m. The aircrew hoisted Statkus at 2:25 a.m. and transported him to Air Station Clearwater.
No injuries were reported.
“Fortunately, Statkus had his life jacket on and was also equipped with a flare and a spot light,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Matt Bonneau, operation unit controller at Sector St. Petersburg. “This was a successful rescue because he properly prepared himself with life saving safety gear before he got underway.”
