Watch: Missing boater rescued 12 miles off coast of St. Augustine

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·2 min read
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After a boater went missing Thursday evening, an all-out search by multiple agencies finally located him 12 miles off the coast of St. Augustine Saturday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Charles Gregory, 25, was last seen leaving the Lighthouse Boat Ramp on a 12-foot jon boat Thursday night, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast. The Coast Guard started the search for him late Friday evening after being notified by his family.

Gregory was spotted Saturday morning, sitting in his partially submerged boat, by a HC-130 Hercules airplane aircrew, the Coast Guard said in a release. He was picked up by Coast Guard Cutter Coho and transferred to emergency medical services at the Vilano Beach Pier.

“We are pleased about the outcome in this case and I would like to thank all of our local and state partners who were heavily involved in searching for Charles and bringing him home to his family," Cmdr. Nick Barrow, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a release.

EMS transfers Charles Gregory to a local hospital after Coast Guard crews rescued him off a partially submerged 12-foot jon boat 12 miles offshore St. Augustine, Florida, Aug. 5, 2023.
EMS transfers Charles Gregory to a local hospital after Coast Guard crews rescued him off a partially submerged 12-foot jon boat 12 miles offshore St. Augustine, Florida, Aug. 5, 2023.

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Gregory was in good spirits, News4Jax reported, despite being "tired and dehydrated."

"No medical concerns were reported," the release said.

Agencies involved in the search included the U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Coho, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the St. Johns County Fire Rescue, the St. Augustine Police Department, the St. Augustine Fire Department and Florida Fish and Wildlife.

“While this case resulted in rescuing Charles from a life-threatening situation, it highlights the importance of having safety gear onboard and being prepared for the worst," Barrow said. "If you plan to head out on the water, remember to have a life jacket, VHF marine grade radio, signaling devices and an emergency personal locator beacon to contact first responders in case you are in need of assistance.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Missing boater Charles Gregory found off 12 miles off Florida coast