Local

Coast Guard rescues boater found near Mayport

A boater is recovering tonight after being found clinging to a life ring near the St. Johns Inlet.
"On any given day, it's always a risk when you venture out into the water,” said John Pace.
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to him during his visit to the area.
Pace says he wasn't shocked to hear about the rescue.
Coast Guard station Mayport says they were conducting a law enforcement patrol when they noticed a man clinging to a life ring.
This happened around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to the Coast Guard, the man's boat sank, leaving him to drift into the middle of the channel.
Crews were able to pull the man out right away and get him to shore.

"We're glad we were in the right place at the right time and he had the proper safety equipment," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Pugh, the crew's coxswain. "Our crews train to stay vigilant at all times and that training paid off today."

The Action News Jax First Alert Weather Team says the conditions in the inlet would've been rough, with a water temperature in the upper 50s.
Dr. Sunil Joshi, the President of the Duval County Medical Society Foundation, told Cole you can develop hypothermia, in water that chilly, within 15-30 minutes.
Pace told Action News Jax Courtney Cole, whether he's fishing—or boating—instances like this remind him to be prepared for anything.
"Making sure your boat is in good working order, having fuel, having your engine properly checked and in good working order,” said Pace.
The man who was rescued had on a life jacket and was not hurt.
Right now, the Coast Guard is working to figure out what caused the vessel to sink.
Action News Jax is working with the Coast Guard to get in contact with the man who was rescued.