Three sailors were rescued 28 miles east of the St. Johns River in Florida after their 30-foot sailing vessel, Second Wind, was disabled and sustained sail damage.
According to Petty Officer Lauren Jorgensen, public affairs officer with the Coast Guard’s multi-mission station in Mayport, Fla., watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville received a distress call from a disabled sailboat at about 2230 on March 15.
Crewmembers from Station Mayport launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, which arrived on scene at 0123 and brought the sailors aboard for transfer to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville with no injuries. Jorgensen said that due to rough sea conditions, the response boat was unable to take the sailboat in tow and were forced to abandon it. The Coast Guard notified mariners that the vessel was adrift. Jorgensen said the Coast Guard is unaware of any attempts by the owner to salvage the boat. Gulf Stream expert, Jenifer Clark, after looking at wind data said, "Considering the wind was basically from the south and southwest, it is highly likely the yacht is in the stream moving at about two knots or so per day to the north.