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New boat comes to rescue

When a boat stalls, one seeks help in an inflatable raft. Rescuers on a test run find him.

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published July 19, 2007

Alysa Platt, left, with her husband Craig following on the stretcher behind, were taken from Fort De Soto Park to Bayfront Medical to be checked out. They were stranded overnight when their 17-foot johnboat broke down near Egmont Key.
	[John Pendygraft | Times]

The morning began with a routine test run for St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue workers who were trying out a new 27-foot boat off Egmont Key.

It ended with the rescue of three people who were stranded for hours after their boat stalled.

Around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, fire rescue workers in a Vigilant fire boat came across a man in a small inflatable raft near Egmont Key. Ronaldo Puig, 40, was dehydrated and in search of help.

After they pulled Puig on board, he told them that two of his friends were still out in the Gulf of Mexico, and that their 17-foot johnboat was stalled in the water. They had left from Bradenton Beach on Tuesday evening, but their boat had broken down near Egmont Key.

"He was upset," said Lt. Brad Dykens of St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue. "His friends were still out there."

The Coast Guard and other jurisdictions quickly launched a search that included several boats, a helicopter and a plane. In less than an hour, they found Puig's friends: 42-year-old Craig Platt and his wife, 40-year-old Alysa Platt.

They were sitting in the johnboat about a mile from where Puig was found, the Coast Guard said. A small amount of water had flowed into the aluminum boat, though it didn't reach higher than their ankles.

Puig left the boat Tuesday evening on the small raft because he hoped to reach shore and get help, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Robert Simpson. But Puig didn't have a paddle, and didn't get very far from the stalled boat.

All three were taken to Bayfront Medical Center and released after being treated for dehydration, authorities said. They could not be reached for comment.

St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue officials say they're pleased with the efficient rescue, not to mention their new boat.

"It's a brand new boat," Dykens said. "And it's already saved three lives."

Times researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report. Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or 727 893-8472.

[Last modified July 18, 2007, 23:56:06]