An unidentified man was rescued after his skiff overturned off the coast of Maine, thanks in part to a Facebook post where he had shared his approximate whereabouts. In the post, the man had informed friends and family that he was going sailing on his skiff to inspect property damage from the recent January storms.
When around 5 p.m., the family hadn’t heard from the boater they contacted first responders. The day was cool and rainy with a high of 36 degrees and a low of 29 degrees. Because the man was going to check on his property, the St. George Fire Rescue team was able to reduce their search to the area between Tenants Harbor and Rackliff Island, which sits on Penobscot Bay.
During the search, a citizen called in to say they heard yelling from a nearby island. By tracking the call, the team was able to further pinpoint the missing man’s location. Along with about 25 first responders from various agencies, many local lobstermen also joined the search when they heard the call over their radios. One of them found the unidentified man and brought him to shore.
While this story ended well, it is a good reminder to always file a float plan.
“Have a plan,” said a spokesman for the local St. George & Fire Rescue squad. “When you are going out on the water, establish check-in times. If those times are missed, CALL. IT. IN. You are not overreacting.”
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, filing a float plan is not just for those venturing out on 40-foot express cruisers or 90-foot fishing boats, but should be taken seriously by kayakers, jet skiers, sailors and more. The USCG encourages boaters to include a photo of their vessel with their float plan.
Although posting to Facebook saved this man, it is not a true float plan. The Coast Guard has a list of things on its website that shows what a true float plan is. The site also features a downloadable PDF that you should fill out and share with trusted shoreside friends or family who can call the authorities when you fail to show up at the appointed time.
