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People in the Water Rescue

Karen L. Miller Division 11, D7, Member Training and Publications Officer, Clearwater, FL
Photos by Auxiliarists Ed and Teresa Kasper

Rescued boy

4 1/2 Year Old Boy

On June 6, 2010 at about 4:30 pm, the crew of Clearwater Auxiliary vessel Ghost was returning to Coast Guard Station Sand Key after searching for some stranded boaters on an island north of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge. On board were: Ed Kasper, coxswain; Peter Palmieri, crew; Teresa Kasper, crew; Don Kansorka, crew and Steve Ashley, trainee. Just as they were approaching Intracoastal Marker #11, south of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge they saw three members of a family fall off their rented personal watercraft (PWC).
Capsixed vessel

Capsized PWC

A mother, father and their 4 ½-year old son were all struggling in the water to stay afloat. According to the mother, her husband who was operating the PWC, made a sharp turn and the three of them went into the water. The mother stated that the husband could not swim and although they were all wearing life jackets the husband was pulling his wife under water while she was trying to save her child. She yelled for help.

The crew of Ghost immediately went to their assistance. Ed Kasper brought the vessel alongside the family and stopped his engine. Crewmember Peter Palmieri threw a life ring and the mother placed it over her child. The child was rescued safely and brought aboard. Crewmember Teresa Kasper went for the ladder and assisted the mother aboard. The whole event, from falling off to being safely placed on board took about five minutes.


Family at dock
Disembarking at Station

The mother stated she absolutely did not want to get back on the PWC and told her husband that she wanted the Auxiliarists to take them to safety. Happily, no one was injured, although if there were any medical concerns, they were in excellent hands since Ed Kasper is a doctor and Teresa Kasper is a nurse.

Mother and son

Mother and Son

The crew aboard Ghost comforted the mother and child and gave them Gatorade to drink. They transported the mother and child to Station Sand Key were they were accommodated. Later, the husband came to the Station and transported them home via automobile.

To complete the family's day on the water, the husband capsized a PWC operated by a member of the rental company who was accompanying them. The operator righted the PWC and brought the husband aboard his PWC and returned to his base.



The members of Flotilla 11-1, Clearwater, Florida, regularly patrol the waters of Clearwater and environs. They work closely with Coast Guard Station Sand Key. In addition to their on-the-water activities, Flotilla 11-1 has a very active program of boating safety education classes which they conduct at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center on Sand Key and free vessel safety checks which they offer at Seminole and Belleair boat ramps on a regular basis.
On dock
On Dock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~WRH 08-16-10