JANUARY 28, 2005
- SHELL BEACH, LOUISIANA
- The Coast Guard located a 60-year-old man Thursday after he was
reported overdue about 40 miles east of Shell Beach, La.
Peter Agnelly was reported overdue to the Coast
Guard at around 8:30 p.m. Thursday by Kenny Campo of Campo Marina.
An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew from Coast
Guard Air Station New Orleans was dispatched to a fishing area
frequently used by Agnelly. Minutes after arriving on scene, the rescue
crew noticed a boat flashing its lights. After the rescue crew
confirmed the location and identity of the boat, a good Samaritan was
directed to the scene and rendered assistance.
With poor weather forecasted, Agnelly would have
been extremely difficult to locate, even with the aid of night vision
technology. Agnelly had the foresight to conserve his battery power in
order to signal the rescue crew.
The Coast Guard recommends all boaters take the
following actions prior to leaving the dock:
-
File a "float plan" with a friend or relative (you can find one
online at http://floatplan.uscgaux.info/)
-
-
Carry a signal kit (flares, strobe
light, whistle, etc.)
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