- April 24, 2024
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Two fishermen, 68 and 87 years old, were rescued after spending 7 hours stranded in a disabled jon boat off the city of Palm Coast's Long Creek Paddling Trail on April 23.
The men called the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at around 4:10 p.m., saying their boat motor had died and that although they weren't in distress, they didn't know where they were, except that they could see a white marker sign that said "2" — one of the city of Palm Coast's Long Creek Paddling Trail markers.
A deputy had the men call 911 so that the Sheriff's Office could get a "ping" for their location, which showed the men on Long Creek, in marshland off the Intracoastal, according to a Flagler County Sheriff's Office report.
Dispatch advised the men to call Sea Tow or another boat towing company.
The county's FireFlight emergency helicopter flew over the area and found their location, and noted that they did not appear to be in distress.
Still, a couple of hours later, the men called 911 again, and one of the men's granddaughters also called the Sheriff's Office saying that the men were drifting and were tired from paddling. The men were again advised that they'd have to call a boat towing company.
By 9:35p.m., the men contacted law enforcement again and said that the 87-year-old was weak from trying to paddle and was having a hard time sitting up straight. Volusia County launched its Air One emergency helicopter and the FCSO began preparing an airboat.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers made phone contact with the men.
Flagler County Fire Rescue launched a jet ski, found the men and towed them back to the ramp at Bings Landing at 11:37 p.m.
It was not clear from the FCSO's report why they were unable to summon a tow.
Fire Rescue checked the men, who declined medical treatment.
