A Coast Guard rescue crew from Station Georgetown, S.C. rescued a 43-year-old Florida man about 42 miles southeast of Little River Inlet, S.C. Terry Watson, of Homosassa Spring, Fla., is believed to have been at sea for more than two months. His last known port of call was Miami, Fla., sailing the 23-foot vessel Psedorca July 19. Georgetown rescue members are scheduled to bring Watson into Coast Guard Station Georgetown about 10 p.m. last night. He will be transferred to emergency medical services for further transfer to the local hospital. Watson is reportedly suffering from dehydration, delusion and shock.
The captain of the charter fishing boat Gulf Stream spotted the Psedorca. The Gulf Stream captain reported to Coast Guard Group Charleston that Watson and his vessel were in bad condition and thought he needed Coast Guard assistance.
The Group had a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew launch from Air Facility Charleston. Once on scene, the rescue crew attempted to medevac Watson but he refused to leave his vessel. A 41-foot rescue boat from Georgetown was then launched as well as the Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon to assist in Watson’s transfer.
Watson was safely transferred to the 41-foot
Georgetown rescue vessel and is being brought into the station. The Tarpon is going to tow the Psedorca into Georgetown.
Watson’s last known location was Miami, Fla. The captain of the Y-Knot, the skipper of the sailing vessel that was traveling with Watson around the Florida Keys, reported Watson overdue to the Coast Guard in Miami July 23. The Coast Guard launched a C-130 from Air Station Clearwater to search more than 8,000 square miles east of Miami but was unsuccessful in locating him. The Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon is an 87-ft. coastal patrol boat homeported in Tybee, S.C.