Coast Guard Rescues 8 People From Disabled Boat 35 Miles Offshore Florida

Eight people were rescued Saturday after their boat became disabled around 35 miles offshore Florida, officials said.

The Venice Police Department said VPD Marine Officer Brett Woodworth initially reported an overdue vessel to watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 1:44 p.m. Saturday.

The Coast Guard launched an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew, which located the disabled boat approximately 35 miles west of Venice, in 2-3 foot seas and 5-10 knot winds, at around 9:32 p.m. The aircrew directed a Coast Guard Station Cortez boat crew to the vessel’s location.

A video shared by the Coast Guard shows the boat crew bringing all eight stranded boaters aboard. The boaters and their vessel were brought back to a Venice Inlet boat ramp with no reported injuries.

“Before going out on the water make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you will be back,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Beasley, a Station Cortez boarding officer. “We recommend being as specific as possible so rescue crews have a reliable place to start searching in case of emergency. Boaters should always have Coast Guard approved life jackets, VHF radio, signaling devices and an emergency position locator beacon or personal locator beacon.”