3 boaters rescued by Coast Guard near Big Sarasota Pass

SARASOTA, Fla. — Three male boaters were rescued by Coast Guard crewmembers after their 22-foot boat became disabled near Big Sarasota Pass, Thursday.

The father of one of the boaters contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 9:45 p.m., Wednesday, stating his son and two friends were overdue from a fishing trip.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and a 45-foot Response-Boat Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Cortez were launched at 11:33 p.m.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., the Jayhawk aircrew located the overdue boaters after they shot off a flare.

The RB-M boatcrew arrived on scene shortly after and discovered that the boaters vessel had become disabled due to engine problems.

The RB-M boatcrew towed the vessel safely to the Coquina Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach.

No injuries were reported.