Coast Guard Gives Advice On Being Stranded At Sea

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Coast Guard said simple precautions can be taken when people are out at sea that could mean life or death.

The Coast Guard said the three men who were rescued and brought into Port Aransas Sunday are alive mainly because they stayed on top of their capsized boat for the entire eight days they were stranded.

"Stay with the boat. The boat will be found eventually, if you're with it you'll be found as well," Coast Guard Auxiliary's Kurt Broomfield said.

The Coast Guard also said before heading out bring at least three days worth of non perishable food and water and recheck safety equipment, like life jackets, flares and flashlights.

The Coast Guard said the most important thing is to always wear a life jacket. Harbor ferry boat Capt. Peter Meyer said he always keeps manual life jackets on both his lower and upper decks.

"Also, we have the life ring, and if visibility was bad, this would go with it. It floats upside down and they have a strobe light that flashes," Meyer said.

The Coast Guard said an EPERB, which costs thousands, is vital to anyone's survival should they become stranded because it sends a satellite signal from where the person is directly to the Coast Guard for help.

"Basically, you just pull the red tab and it activates it, and that's all there is to it," Broomfield said.

The Coast Guard said a marine radio may also be beneficial. Channel 16 is actually monitored by the Coast Guard. After the channel has been punched in, just talk into the mike and call for help.

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The Coast Guard said another reason the three men survived was because they didn't panic and stayed in survival mode.

"Survival is 90 percent mental, ten percent physical, so if you get your mind right, you can survive on the water out there," Broomfield said.

Most safety equipment can be purchased at any marine shop.

The Coast Guard also recommends taking their boating safety class, which is being offered in October.

Online Reporter: Crystal Jenkins