2 boaters rescued by Coast Guard near Bayboro Harbor

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two male boaters were rescued by Coast Guard crewmembers after their dinghy began to take on water near Bayboro Harbor here, Monday.

While on a patrol, a 25-foot Response Boat – Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg contacted watchstanders at Sector St. Petersburg at 9:48 a.m., stating they were responding to two boaters in distress

While attempting to tow a sailboat the boater aboard the dinghy struck an aid to navigation that punctured his dinghy causing it to take on water.

The RB-S boatcrew was able to rescue the man from the dinghy while another responding RB-S boatcrew towed the sailing vessel to safety.

No injuries were reported. The boaters were not wearing life jacket

“Mariners are strongly encouraged to wear a life jacket at all times,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Ronnie Leavell, an operations watchstander at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “Additionally, having at least one reliable source of communication on board the vessel is imperative. Had Coast Guard Station Saint Petersburg not been underway at the right place at the right time, this situation could have had an unfortunate outcome.”