UGA Skidaway marine crew rescues stranded boaters

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A routine research cruise quickly turned into a lifesaving rescue earlier this June.

The crew of the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography's Research Vessel Savannah was conducting a fish survey with a team when they were contacted by the Coast Guard.

Another vessel was in distress and believed to be three and a half miles from the Savannah vessel. Captain Sweatte and his crew began a search and found two fishermen who were clinging to their capsized boat. The crew immediately started getting the men out of the water.

"They were a little cold and shaken and I think pretty grateful to have someone spot them and get them because the Gulf Stream is very close and they were drifting east right toward the Gulf Stream," said Captain Raymond Sweatte. "It would have just carried them away rather quickly."

The men were given blankets, water and a call home to their family. Both men were returned safely.

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