A 60-year-old man was rescued 69 miles east of the coast of New Smyrna Beach after his boat capsized and sank Friday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Steven Hicks was out on his sail vessel when it capsized and sank, forcing Hicks to board his emergency life raft and call for help using his EPRIB to send a distress signal, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard rescued Hicks from his life raft in a stable condition.
“It’s important for mariners to keep their life-saving equipment in good working order because it can save a life,” said Matthew Barker, Coast Guard chief petty officer, in a press release. “This case demonstrates how a registered emergency position indicating radio beacon is a lifesaving piece of equipment.”