Live Updates: Hurricane Milton leaves a trail of destruction across Florida

The Coast Guard rescues a man clinging to a cooler 30 miles off the coast of Florida as Milton approaches

Before Milton's arrival this week, the U.S. Coast Guard twice assisted a Florida boater who was pinned to a cooler in Gulf waters during his second rescue, video shows.

Around noon on Monday, the captain of a fishing vessel named Captain Dave reported to St. Petersburg Coast Guard watchmen that he and a crew member were disabled about 20 miles off John's Pass near St. Petersburg, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, according to one USCG press release.

A Coast Guard rescue boat crew and a rescue helicopter crew arrived to assist the two people, who were flown back to Air Station Clearwater in good condition, the release said.

“The vessel was left adrift and salvage arrangements had to be made,” the press release said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the boat's owner reported to the Coast Guard that the captain left around 3 a.m. to make repairs to the boat and had not yet checked in.

“Guardians were able to contact the captain via radio, who reported that the rudder had become contaminated with a line and was becoming obstructed on the way back to port,” the Coast Guard statement said.

“The weather at the time was 6-8 foot seas and approximately 30 mph winds, but quickly deteriorated as (Milton) approached,” the release said.

The Coast Guard instructed the captain to wear a life jacket and maintain the vessel's emergency position.

“On Wednesday evening around 6:45 p.m., the observers lost communication,” the press release said.

A helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Miami was launched at 5:30 a.m. ET Thursday. The captain was rescued about 30 miles off Longboat Key at 1:30 p.m., clinging to a cooler and wearing a life jacket. He was flown to Tampa General Hospital.