Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received an alert from an emergency beacon registered to the PENNY V Friday, July 8, after the 68-foot fishing vessel began to take on water west of Sanibel Island, FL. The Coast Guard diverted the crew of the 210-foot Coast Guard Cutter RESOLUTE to the scene to assist the distressed crew.
Once on the scene, the Coast Guard rescue crew assisted with dewatering pumps and flooding control, allowing the PENNY V to get underway under its own power. The Coast Guard then escorted the crew of the PENNY V back to home port in Fort Myers, FL.
All five crewmen of the PENNY V were in good condition. Coast Guard officials took the opportunity to stress the importance of having an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon on board.