A man’s Sunday outing took a harrowing turn when he was stranded on the rocky jetty of St. Lucie Inlet, but a timely Coast Guard rescue saved him from a perilous situation. The survivor, identified as 53-year-old Joseph Baricklow, was noticed missing after his empty jet ski was found teetering in the turbulent waters near the inlet. According to a report by WSVN, Baricklow had been thrown from his vehicle and subsequently clung to the rocks awaiting rescue.
Mobilizing in response to a personal locator beacon activation, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a rescue operation. Thrown from his jet ski, Baricklow's beacon, designed to signal satellites during emergencies, proved its worth. With the assistance of the Martin County Sheriff's units in the air and on the water, rescuers located the man stranded and exposed, battered by the elements. "We are grateful this gentleman had a personal locator beacon to notify Coast Guard watchstanders that he was in distress," Lt. Cmdr. James Fennessey, an MH-65 helicopter pilot with Air Station Miami, said in a statement obtained by CBS12.
Deemed too perilous by boat due to the choppy conditions, a helicopter airlift was executed by the Coast Guard. The dramatic rescue was captured on video, showing a Coast Guard Air helicopter crew member securing Baricklow before both were hoisted to safety. The victim was delivered to Stuart Airport with no medical concerns of note, save for a few physical scrapes—the testament of his unexpected ordeal.
After the rescue, Baricklow was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, which are expected to fully heal. The Martin County Sheriff's Office highlighted the crucial role of the personal locator beacon, which helped prevent a worse outcome after he was thrown from his jet ski and clung to the rocks.
