Patrick Air Force Base team rescues boaters stranded 500 miles offshore – WESH Orlando

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla.

Airmen from Patrick Air Force Base helped rescue a father and son after their boat caught fire 500 miles off the coast of Florida.

Five-hundred miles offshore, a speck in the water near a passing oil tanker was a lifeboat with two men aboard. Their boat had sunk in a fire and one was badly burned. They had called the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard called the Air Force.

The 920th Rescue Wing - represented by 80 airmen and four aircraft, pulled off the search and rescue with the help of the Coast Guard. The team worked into the night Friday to rescue the two German citizens.

The tanker crew helped the victims aboard and Air Force medics treated them. Their usual mission is rescuing downed combat pilots.

Anytime you are putting someone out over the Atlantic, its concerning, said Captain Dan Morgese. We train for this, it all worked out just fine. If there was a day to do it, it was today; the weather was perfect.

The 48-year-old and 66-year-old were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center by medical helicopter.

When you actually get to do something you train for; its really satisfying, said Morgese. Excellent communication and planning among all involved, made the mission successful.

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Patrick Air Force Base team rescues boaters stranded 500 miles offshore - WESH Orlando