The Coast Guard Foundation will honor the August rescue of a 25-year-old man off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida, at its annual South Florida event on April 18. Phil Purcell, President and CEO of Marine Industries Association of South Florida, will also be recognized for his leadership in the maritime industry. 

The Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District will be held at Fort Lauderdale’s Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, starting at 6:30 pm. Attended by Coast Guard members, maritime and defense industry leaders and supporters of the Coast Guard, the annual event raises money for Foundation programs that support service members and families. 

Coast Guard crews rescued 25-year-old Charles Gregory, August 5, after he went missing in a small jon boat, 12 miles offshore of St. Augustine, Florida.

Search and rescue specialists at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville launched an extensive air and sea search after receiving a report from Gregory's family, August 4, that he did not return to the Lighthouse Park Boat Ramp.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew spotted Gregory, the following morning, sitting in his partially submerged boat. A Coast Guard Cutter Coho boat crew recovered and transferred him to a Station Mayport boat crew who transported him to EMS at Vilano Beach Fishing Pier.

The Foundation will also honor Phil Purcell, CEO and President of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) for his maritime leadership, commitment to maritime safety and stewardship, and support of the non-profit community.

A visionary and motivating leader in the marine community, Purcell has led MIASF since 2014. During Purcell’s tenure MIASF has worked to support and strengthen the marine industries in the Southeast, which provide 149,000 marine jobs and an annual economic benefit of $12.5 billion to the region.

The Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Steve Poulin, and other national and regional leaders are expected to attend, as will Coast Guard members from throughout the southeast United States. 

Title image: A crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Coho recovers Charles Gregory and his jon boat 12 miles offshore St. Augustine, Florida, Aug. 5, 2023. Charles departed the Lighthouse Park Boat Ramp Aug. 4 and his parents reported him missing to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Coast Guard Station Mayport)