CORTEZ, FLORIDA
The Coast Guard and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office rescued two people after their 16-foot sailboat capsized northeast of Anna Maria Island, Florida, Sunday.
At 10:20 a.m. watchstanders from Coast Guard Station Cortez, Florida, received a call from a good Samaritan stating he saw two people in the water after their sailboat capsized.
A 29-foot Response Boat Small-II crew from the station arrived on scene at 10:34 a.m. and observed two people not wearing life jackets, on the hull of the sailboat.
A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office boatcrew arrived on scene and pulled the people on board.
The Coast Guard boatcrew re-righted the sailboat and took it in tow. The people were given lifejackets, transferred back to their vessel and transported to Galati’s Marina on Anna Maria Island.
“It’s always scary to hear that there are people in the water without life jackets on, especially on a day like today when the seas are rough and choppy,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brigitta Lambright, an officer of the day at the station.
“We encourage everyone, even the strangest swimmers, to always wear a life jacket when out on the water.”