The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two men after their boat sank 52 miles northwest of Boca Grande, Florida, early Monday, according to a news release.
The captain of the 37-foot commercial fishing boat, Ruby-D, made multiple mayday calls shortly before 3:30 a.m. stating his boat was sinking, and, along with his crewmember, he was abandoning ship.
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater crews arrived at the scene at approximately 4:25 a.m., spotted a strobe light and located both fishermen in a life raft nearby, said the release.
The fishermen said they stepped into the life raft just as the boat sank and used a strobe light and flares to help signal the rescue crews to their location.
"These two men were quick to react to a life threatening situation," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Gaub." "They utilized all the correct safety equipment including an EPIRB, strobe light and flares which helped our search ten-fold."
The fishermen were brought to safety.
There were no injuries reported.
#BreakingNews @USCGSoutheast rescues 2 men after boat sinks. Hear their calls for help: https://t.co/52xrCL7Psv pic.twitter.com/AUz7UEGDcy
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) March 7, 2016
