By John Conrad
Jan 23, 2021
Miami, Fl.(Florida News Network)-Investigative Service Agents from the U.S. Coast Guard are trying to find the person or persons who has pointed a laser light on three separate occasions at coast guard rescue crews while underway near Singer Island.
It s a federal offense to point lasers at coast guard vessels and cause bodily injury to an officer. Offenders can receive up to $25,000 in civil penalty fines. criminal penalties can face up to 25 years imprisonment. It s also a federal offense to direct laser pointers at aircraft, offenders can face up to five years imprisonment.
By John Conrad
Jan 15, 2021
Key West, Fl.(Florida News Network)- Coast Guard rescue crews assisted the , a 40-foot fishing boat Thursday, after the crew launched two flares signaling distress approximately 80 miles southwest of Key West.
A nearby boater saw the flares and contacted the Coast Guard Station in Key West, and stayed within radar contact of the vessel, Santa Maria, until Coast Guard crews arrived on scene.
A HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew arrived on scene first and established communication with Santa Maria s crew. They reported the vessel was taking on water and had a steering casualty. The fishing crew repaired the issues and was heading to Conch Harbor Marina.