KEY WEST, Fla. — Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., along with small boat stations, and partner agencies were busy Saturday after receiving eight separate distress calls within eight hours, resulting in 3 lives saved and 11 others assisted throughout the keys.
Calls started coming in shortly after 4 a.m., they included three overturned boats, two boats taking on water, and three uncorrelated distress calls.
Coast Guard Station Marathon, Fla., and Coast Guard Station Islamorada, Fla., responded with rescue boatcrews, in addition to other partner agencies responding throughout the string of calls requesting assistance.
Good Samaritans in the area helped rescue people from the water, tow vessels back to land, and assisted in other ways.
The Coast Guard is anticipating a busy upcoming boating season and would like to remind all boaters to be safe, wear their life jackets, and have all required and recommended safety gear onboard their vessel. In addition to being safe on the water the Coast Guard recommends boaters consider taking a boating safety course given by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
