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Two Florida Boaters Found Safe After Being Stranded Off Flagler Beach

A multi-agency search ended after the men reported an electrical failure that left their boat powerless.

Overview

  • Rescuers located the pair several miles off Flagler Beach Tuesday afternoon and a U.S. Coast Guard vessel towed their boat back to shore.
  • The survivors were identified as Danny Gibson and Patrick Watson and said they were adrift for about 24 to 36 hours before being found.
  • Family reported the men missing after about a day and police found their vehicle and trailer at the Swoop Boat Ramp in New Smyrna Beach, which triggered the search.
  • Gibson and Watson said an onboard electrical failure left them with limited food and drink but winds kept them generally within about 20 miles of the coast.
  • Authorities have not released technical causes or investigative details and the incident underscores basic boating safety steps such as filing a float plan, checking electrical systems and carrying extra emergency supplies.