GULF OF MEXICO SEARCH AND RESCUE HAS HAPPY ENDING
March 8, 2005
Contact: Karen Parker (386) 758-0525
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched a search and rescue operation for six North Carolina students early Tuesday morning in the Gulf of Mexico off the Citrus County coastline and brought everyone back to shore by early afternoon.
According to Lt. Dennis Delapaz, shift supervisor at the FWC Crystal River Field Office, the six students from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, were on a camping trip in the St. Martins Keys off the coast of Citrus County. They became lost Monday, the third day of the trip.
“They camped out on a mangrove island that became partially submerged underwater during high tide and rough weather,” Delapaz explained.
The students had a cell phone which they used to call the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office who in turn called the U.S. Coast Guard.
“The Coast Guard called FWC and the two agencies began the search,” Delapaz said.
FWC officers transported the students back to shore.
The six students rescued are:
 |
Jessica Frucht, 23 |
|
Jessica Savadel, 21 |
|
Alex Yockey, 23 |
|
Christopher Rhoads, 21 |
|
Tony Tacozza, 20 |
|
Jeremy Diner, 18 |
FWC officials stressed that the Gulf of Mexico is known for its unpredictable weather and to carry a weather radio when canoeing or kayaking in the region. Another safety precaution is to file a float plan, letting someone know where you’re going and when you’re due back.
Click Here To Return To The Previous Page
