HERNANDO BEACH, Florida (13 May 2009) — Two scuba divers who were drifting in the Gulf of Mexico for nearly 24 hours were rescued last Sunday afternoon. U.S. Coast Guard officials said the divers, Timothy Allen, 52, and Paula Allen, 48, owe their lives to Garrett and Patrick Pinder, who spotted them about 20 miles west of Hernando Beach. Garrett, 17, and Patrick, 18, were diving with their father, Patrick Sr., who alerted authorities at about 3:00 pm that they had rescued two divers and were bringing them to shore. Paramedics took over at a Hernando Beach boat ramp and took the couple to Oak Hill Hospital, where they are listed in good condition. The couple told authorities strong currents carried them away from their 28-foot boat, the Wehoo, at about 3:00 pm on Saturday. According to Coast Guard officials, the couple failed to file a float plan with a family member or friend, and consequently, authorities had not been alerted that they were missing. Lt. Miguel Torrez of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg said the couple was "incredibly lucky" the Pinder brothers spotted them. Torrez urged boaters and scuba divers to always file a float plan and utilize proper safety equipment. | | The Pinders: Garrett (left), Patrick Jr. (center) and Patrick Sr. (right). Two scuba divers owe their lives to the eagle-eyed Pinder brothers who somehow spotted them drifting in the Gulf of Mexico. (photo by Cris Urso/Tribune) |
