With teamwork, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) made a successful rescue of three persons and their dog Oct. 31, 2007. The vessel, a 19-foot boat named “Snowbird,” had been reported missing when the occupants did not return after setting out for a fishing trip Sunday evening when they were reported overdue, according to FWC officials. 

The search for William J. Wetherington, 42, of Atlanta; his mother, Vannie Wetherington, 70, of Valdosta; and Kelly Trezek, 41, of Marietta, along with “Pugsley,”  began Tuesday evening but the search was called off when weather deteriorated in the Gulf of Mexico and the seas were rough. The search resumed at first light Wednesday.  

The missing vessel was located by FWC pilot Frank Utermohlen,  32 miles offshore from Steinhatchee, according to Lt. Ken Mazzeo, captain of the FWC’s “Guardian,” a 45-foot offshore patrol vessel stationed at Crystal River. 

“We approached the vessel and saw three people and a dog on board. The two women appeared to be okay, however, the man needed medical attention,” Mazzeo said.  “We rescued everyone and secured them inside the ‘Guardian.’ I requested a Coast Guard airlift to get Mr. Wetherington to medical help.” 

By the time the helicopter arrived, the “Guardian” was only two miles from shore.  Personnel decided not to transfer Mr. Wetherington to the USCG aircraft at that time. Once they met up with EMS, Wetherington was stabilized onboard the “Guardian”. He was then put aboard a smaller FWC patrol vessel and taken to a waiting ambulance on shore. Trezek, Mrs. Wetherington and Pugsley were put aboard another FWC 25-foot patrol vessel and taken to safety.  

“Everyone on board was ecstatic to see us. After spending three nights out on the Gulf, I can certainly understand why,” Mazzeo said. “And Pugsley was cool too. He didn’t seem to be suffering any ill effects whatsoever. Best of all, he was ‘boat-broken.’”

FWC officials' state it appears the vessel’s engine failed and had an improper anchor for the prevailing conditions. The boaters had drifted for several days. In addition, their flares did not work, their handheld VHF had dead batteries, and their cell phone wasn’t receiving a signal.
Cooper said, “Mrs. Wetherington told me during the ride back that their boat had started taking on water 30 minutes prior to our aircraft locating them. She said they wouldn’t have made it if the boat had gone down.”