Missing Central Florida boater rescued 86 miles off Port Canaveral shares his story

Orlando, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard says a 62-year-old boater who had been missing since Friday has been found Sunday clinging to his capsized vessel off of the Space Coast.

The agency says it had been searching for signs of Stuart Bee and his 32-foot boat since he was reported missing on Friday.

A crew onboard the container ship Angeles spotted Bee some 86 miles off of Cape Canaveral on Sunday.

Listen to Angeles call in to the Coast Guard after rescuing Bee, and hear Bee moments after he was rescued:

“Saving lives at sea is our highest calling. This is a truly incredible outcome that demonstrates the bond among all mariners and our community,” said Capt. Mark Vlaun, commanding officer of Sector Jacksonville.

“Thank you to our mission partners that launch into action and to all who got the word out to find and rescue Mr. Bee”

Bee tells Delaware Today his boat had mechanical issues on Saturday.

“I was out there stargazing,” Bee told the newspaper. “It was beautiful. And I fell asleep and the water came gushing in, pushed me out to the front.”

He was able to hold onto a few cushions to help him float.

Three hours later, Bee was spotted with only a sliver of the ship still above water.

A Coast Guard helicopter flew to the freighter to take Bee back to shore, the agency said.

His condition wasn’t immediately known.

Cox Media Group