U.S. Coast Guard Rescues Three From Disabled Boat 19 Miles Off Port Canaveral

towed disabled vessel to Jetty Park Pier

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — Three people were safely rescued Saturday after their 23-foot vessel became disabled approximately 19 miles off the coast of Port Canaveral, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to Coast Guard officials, the crew aboard the stranded boat issued a distress call for assistance over VHF-FM Channel 16, the international hailing and emergency frequency monitored around the clock by Coast Guard stations and mariners in the area.

The call was received by U.S. Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, which immediately dispatched a rescue boat to the scene.

A Coast Guard boat crew located the disabled vessel and its three occupants and determined they were not injured but were unable to safely return to shore under their own power. The crew secured the 23-foot boat and towed it back to Jetty Park Pier, where all three people were safely brought ashore without incident.

The Coast Guard emphasized that having a reliable means of communication while offshore can be lifesaving. Even a routine outing on the water can quickly turn into an emergency due to mechanical failure, changing weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Boaters are also encouraged to take advantage of free vessel safety checks conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. These inspections help ensure boats are in proper navigable condition and equipped with required safety gear such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and signaling devices — all of which are critical to protecting lives on the water.

Officials remind anyone planning to head offshore to check their equipment, file a float plan, and make sure their communication devices are in working order before leaving the dock.

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