Video shows US Coast Guard rescue 3 people after their boat capsizes in Florida
Three people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard near Captiva Island in Florida after their vessel capsized.
The three boaters on a 20-foot center console were reported missing by a family member around 1 a.m. Sunday, who said their last contact with them was at 8 p.m. Saturday, the Seventh Coast Guard District said in a news release Sunday.
A rescue operation was initiated, and a "Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 helicopter aircrew found the three boaters sitting on top of their capsized vessel in reportedly good health, the news release said.
Watch: US Coast Guard rescues 3 people from capsized boat
Boaters were in water for hours before they were rescued by the USCG
Video footage from the rescue shows the boaters sitting atop the capsized boat waving to rescuers before a coast guard boat arrives to retrieve them and take them back to a coast guard station where medics awaited. U.S.C.G. told Paste BN Monday the boaters were in the water for approximately 9 hours and were transported to a local hospital for further medical care.
The news release said aircrew directed a Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach boat crew, "who arrived on scene and safely transferred all three boaters aboard."
“We were able to locate and rescue the three boaters thanks to the quick coordination of the Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, along with the use of critical search tools,” Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Chief Warrant Officer Dennise Werre said in a statement. “Completing a float plan with a loved one prior to going out on a vessel is critical. Float plans provide first responders with information such as the intended route, how many people are aboard, and what safety equipment may be available.”
It was not immediately known why the boat capsized and U.S.C.G said a "safety marine information broadcast was issued for the hazard to navigation."
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.