A boatcrew from Station Cortez rescued two distressed boaters from the hull of this capsized 31-foot fishing boat and transferred them to Coquina Boat Ramp with no reported injuries Thursday. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
CORTEZ, Fla. — The Coast Guard rescued two boaters Thursday after their vessel capsized 6 miles west of Longboat Key.
Rescued were Donald Swanson, 60 and Tonda Reeck, 62.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Cortez received a call from Swanson at 8:38 p.m. via Manatee County Dispatch stating his boat was taking on water and he needed emergency assistance.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RBM) boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Cortez was diverted to assist.
At 8:49 p.m., the RBM crew located the boaters clinging to the hull of their 31-foot fishing boat. After confirming all boaters were accounted for, the boatcrew embarked the two boaters and transported them to Coquina Boat Ramp.
No injuries were reported.
Commercial services re-righted the capsized boat and towed it to Bradenton Beach.
