CLEARWATER, Fla. — According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Station Cortez boat crew rescued eight people Saturday evening after their 26-foot vessel became disabled about 35 miles west of Venice.
WATCH: Coast Guard rescues 8 from disabled boat 35 miles off Venice
An HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew from Air Station Miami located the boaters around 9:32 p.m. in two to three-foot seas and winds of 5-10 knots, then directed a crew to their position.
The boaters, reported overdue earlier that day by a Venice Police Department officer, were safely brought back to a Venice Inlet boat ramp with no injuries.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Beasley urged boaters to share specific trip plans with someone before heading out, so rescue crews have a reliable starting point in an emergency.
He also emphasized the importance of carrying Coast Guard-approved life jackets, a VHF radio, signaling devices, and an emergency position locator beacon or personal locator beacon.
Coast Guard officials continue to encourage mariners to take a safety boating course before going on the water. Information on local courses is available at uscgaux.org.
Florida beekeeper loses livelihood after neighbor has 20 beehives removed from his property
An 84-year-old Citrus County beekeeper is fighting to recover 20 active beehives that were taken from his property months ago, leaving him without his main source of income and removing up to 2 million bees from the local ecosystem.
