Ship finds missing boater

A CENTRAL Florida man, who went missing after sailing from Port Canaveral on Friday, was found stranded on his capsized boat and rescued by a passing cargo ship Sunday.

The 225-foot motor vessel Angeles found Stuart Bee about 86 miles east of Port Canaveral on Sunday around 11am, according to a US Coast Guard press release.

A member of Cape Marina in Cape Canaveral reported on Saturday at 11:40am that Bee was missing after leaving the dock on Friday about 4pm.

The member told the Coast Guard that Bee generally doesn’t stay on his boat overnight.

A C-130 Hercules aircrew from the Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater was dispatched to assist in the search. according to the press release.

A US Customs and Border Patrol air marine asset also participated.

Bee left Port Canaveral on Friday but the boat had mechanical issues on Saturday.

He woke up just after midnight on Sunday to water rushing in through the cabin, pushing him out of the front hatch of the vessel, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

He saw the container ship just after sunrise and began waving his shirt to capture their attention. Lacruiser P. Relativo, a merchant mariner, who was onboard the Angeles took a photo with Bee and gave him fresh clothes to wear.

Captain Mark Vlaun, a commanding officer of Sector Jacksonville, thanked everyone who “all got the word out to find and rescue Mr Bee”.