3 PEOPLE SAVED AFTER BOAT CAPSIZED

October 19, 2004

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued three recreational fishermen today after the boat they were on capsized approximately three miles west of the entrance to the Southwest Pass.

Rescued were: Mathew Nani, Carlton Sunseri and Christopher Sunseri, all of Terrytown, La.

The Coast Guard received a cell phone call around 11 a.m. this morning from one of the boaters reporting that the 17-foot vessel they were on had taken on water and capsized. The Coast Guard launched an HH-65 rescue helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans and two 25-foot rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Venice, La., to search for the men.

The boaters used their cell phone to communicate with Coast Guard Group New Orleans who directed the rescue crews to their location. Good Samaritans from the supply vessel Mr. Fred heard the urgent marine information broadcast, launched a lifeboat, recovered the men and transported them to Station Venice’s rescue boat crews.

The three men were found sitting on top of their capsized, partially-submerged vessel and were not wearing life jackets.

“These men were extremely lucky,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Charles Howie, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Venice. “It’s pretty amazing that they were even able to climb up on the hull of the vessel.”

The Coast Guard rescue boat crews delivered the boaters, reported to be in good condition, to Station Venice at about 1:15 p.m. today.

“Trying to put on a life jacket during a boating accident is like trying to put on a seatbelt during a car accident,” said Eighth Coast Guard District Recreational Boating Safety Specialist Kevin Kelly.

The Coast Guard urges mariners to always wear their life jackets while boating, and ensure all safety and emergency equipment is onboard and in good working order prior to getting underway.

3 PEOPLE SAVED AFTER BOAT CAPSIZED

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard rescued three recreational fishermen today after the boat they were on capsized approximately three miles west of the entrance to the Southwest Pass.

Rescued were: Mathew Nani, Carlton Sunseri and Christopher Sunseri, all of Terrytown, La.

The three men were found sitting on top of their capsized, partially-submerged vessel and were not wearing life jackets.

The Coast Guard rescue boat crews delivered the boaters, reported to be in good condition, to Station Venice at about 1:15 p.m. today.

The Coast Guard urges mariners to always wear their life jackets while boating, and ensure all safety and emergency equipment is onboard and in good working order prior to getting underway.

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