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Office of External Affairs |
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| News Release |
Date: Dec. 12, 2009 |
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Coast Guard rescues 2 men following capsizing of boat; man survives 12 hours in cold water |
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PORT O'CONNOR, Texas - The Coast Guard rescued two men following the capsizing of their 16-foot aluminum boat in the vicinity of Port O’Connor, Friday. A watchstander from Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a call at 7:18 p.m. from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s department reporting that a man had called them via cell phone stating his boat was rapidly taking on water. He reported his position between Matagorda Island and Port O’Connor. Coast Guard Station Port O’Connor immediately launched a 41-foot Utility Boat and a 25-foot Response Boat-Small to search the area. At approximately 3 a.m. Saturday, a rescue boat crew located the first boater. The 20-year-old man from Louisiana was found clinging to an oil platform in Espirito Santo Bay. The man suffered from exposure to the elements but was reported to be in stable condition. The man was transported by the rescue boat crew to Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor where he was examined by EMS crews, and determined to be in good condition. He remained overnight at Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor to wait for transportation. The rescue boat crews continued to search throughout the early morning hours and at approximately 7:30 a.m. the second man was found holding on to a portion of the capsized boat. The 42-year-old Port O’Connor man was also taken to Coast Guard Station Port O'Connor to awaiting EMS. EMS crews then transported the man to Port Lavaca Memorial Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. The two men were hunting on Matagorda Island, and they were attempting to return to Port O’Connor for supplies when their boat began taking on water. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
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