WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Coast Guard teams successfully rescued three individuals who had been stranded at sea for nine hours after their boat capsized near Captiva Island, Florida.
Concerns were raised by a family member when they had not heard from the group since 8 p.m. the previous evening, leading to a report being filed at 1 a.m. on Sunday. Around 6 a.m., a helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Clearwater located the three boaters, who were found resting on top of their overturned vessel. Subsequently, a boat crew from the Fort Myers Beach station came to their aid, transporting the individuals for a medical assessment at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers.
Fortunately, the trio did not experience any health complications from their time at sea, according to statements from the Coast Guard. The reasons for the boat’s capsizing remain unclear.
Chief Warrant Officer Dennise Werre from the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg emphasized the significance of preparing a “float plan” which should be communicated to someone not accompanying the boaters. This plan should include details regarding the planned route, the number of passengers on board, and a list of safety equipment available.
“We were able to find and rescue the three boaters due to the effective collaboration between the Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the utilization of essential search tools,” Werre stated.
