Eight people were rescued from a sinking boat off the coast of Miami-Dade County, Florida, on Saturday (August 23) after running low on fuel and taking on water in rough seas. The U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) responded to a distress call at 1:42 p.m. ET. The 20-foot boat was located about 10 miles offshore.
According to a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Instagram post, a crew on Fireboat 21 was deployed to the scene, capturing the dramatic rescue in real-time footage. All eight passengers were safely brought back to shore without any reported injuries.
The MDFR emphasized the importance of checking weather conditions, filing a float plan, and having a VHF radio tuned to channel 16 for emergencies before heading out on the water. In 2023, the USGC reported 3,844 recreational boating incidents, resulting in 564 deaths.
Boaters are advised to review small craft advisories, gale warnings, and special marine warnings before departure. Additionally, it is recommended to have Coast Guard-approved life jackets and a Very High Frequency (VHF) marine radio on board, and to avoid consuming alcohol while operating a boat.
You can watch the video of the dramatic rescue below:
Recent Comments