USCG assisted capsized USFSP sail students in St. Petersburg, Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted multiple capsized and aground sail students from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) in Bayboro Harbor Thursday evening.

The Coast Guard launched a 29- foot Response Boat-Small crew and recovered two students from the water and placed two of the sailing vessels in tow to keep them from hitting the rocks.

Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg saw a number of small university sailboats capsized or aground from the shore of the station and went to assist the students who were struggling with wind conditions. They transferred students to the campus docks once all the vessels had been safely escorted to the school moorings. All students where wearing their lifejackets.

“Winds around 25 miles-per-hour struck the harbor while the sailing class was in session,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Timothy Abrams, officer-in-charge of Station St. Petersburg. “Most of the student boats retuned to campus with the assistance of the instructor vessel. The capsized sail boat was re-righted and towed back to the campus docks.”