Man Rescued in inlet

http://www.piersystem.com/clients/crisis_586/266489.mp3

The station responded to a mayday call from a distressed boater and later rescued the boater following the sinking of a 23-foot sail boat in Ponce de Leon Inlet, Fla., Monday.Rescued was Anthony Nogradi, 43, of Holley Hill, Fla.
Executing search plans developed by Operation Unit Controllers at the Sector Jacksonville command center, a 47-foot rescue boat crew from Station Ponce Inlet and an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew from Air Station Clearwater were launched. The Coast Guard was notified at 3:37 a.m., by a bridge tender working aboard the George Munson Bridge in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., of a mayday call on VHF Channel 9. This was unusual, because the national hailing and distress frequency is VHF Channel 16. At about the same time, the Coast Guard received, "mayday, mayday, I'm sinking at the inlet," over VHF Channel 16.
While searching near the jetties located within Ponce Inlet, the rescue boat crew heard faint screams.
"I looked the crew and asked 'did you hear that?'," said Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Richardson, lead crewmember aboard the rescue boat. "The crew then heard, 'yes I am over here'."
The boat crew turned on the spot light and located the distressed boater in the water, wearing one life jacket and holding on to 2 other life jackets. The boat crew tossed a heaving line to the boater and pulled him aboard.
"During a debriefing, he informed us that he was transiting out of Ponce Inlet aboard the 23-foot sail boat Common Girl, when his rudder broke causing water to flood the vessel and sink," said Richardson.
"Thinking quickly, he anchored the vessel and called for help," Richardson added. "Because the vessel was sinking to fast to be saved, he put on a life jacket and cut the anchor line and tied it to a second life jacket and to himself, where he waited until the rescue occurred, approximately and hour and a half later."This rescue demonstrates the critical importance of wearing a life jacket in the event of an emergency. Boaters are also recommended to know the names of nearby landmarks and the body of water they are operating on. In the event of an emergency, that information is critical to Coast Guard response efforts.
"Details are critical during a search and rescue case," said Jeffrey Royer, a Sector Jacksonville command center watchstander. "In this case, although the mayday was sounded, to ensure exactly where you are, the Coast Guard needs to know as many details as possible as time allows."

Ponce Inlet ready 24/7/365

Greetings from Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon! Station Ponce de Leon otherwise known as Station Ponce Inlet is located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. My purpose for starting this blog is to write about the day-to-day happenings at the station. I have been at the station for a year now and am amazed everyday at what the crew is called upon to do, and the things they accomplish. Many of these accomplishments go unnoticed by the general public, so if I can shed a little light on what we do and give the crew some recognition then I've accomplished my goal. Station Ponce Inlet is crewed by 30 Active duty personnel and 30 Reserves plus or minus 5 on both the active and reserve sides at any given time. Any given day the crew will respond to at least 1 to 2 calls for assistance, and conduct 5-10 vessel inspections. Calls can range from the routine to the heart stopping.
Many people have allot of questions about the Coast Guard and often really don't know what we do on a local level. In addition, allot of people join the Coast Guard with the misconception that they will be sailing the high seas busting drug runners the day after they graduate boot camp. Well I'm hear to tell you, that's not gonna happen. You may find yourself on the high seas, but like any career where you start at the bottom there are allot of things that need to get done for that boat to be launched and make the drug bust. And that's where the new guy or gal will find themselves. Its the same for stations there are allot of things that have to happen for the boats to be ready all the time and the crew trained and ready. Plus who do you think does maintenance on the grounds, and buildings? That's right, us. So as I said in the beginning of this post my goal is to shed some light on what we do everyday, not just the rescues but the everyday routine that does not often get seen or written about. I hope if your interested in joining you will find my posts helpful, or if you are simply interested in following the crew as we face the daily challenge of being ready 24/7 I hope you all enjoy!