WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2024 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Coast Guard Rescues 2 Adults, 2 Children After Boat Takes On Water

A 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium boat crew from Station Yankeetown, Florida, rescues two adults and two children from the pictured 18-foot flooded boat 10 miles west of Aripeka, Florida, Sunday, May 15, 2016. The people were transported safely to shore with no reported injuries. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium boat crew from Station Yankeetown, Florida, rescues two adults and two children from the pictured 18-foot flooded boat 10 miles west of Aripeka, Florida, Sunday, May 15, 2016. The people were transported safely to shore with no reported injuries. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

YANKEETOWN, Fla.— The Coast Guard rescued two adults and two children Sunday aboard an 18-foot boat 10 miles west of Aripeka.

At 11:15 p.m. Saturday, personnel from the Yankeetown station received a phone call from a woman stating her husband, child and two friends were aboard a flooded boat beginning to capsize. A helicopter crew from Clearwater and a 27-foot utility boat from Station Yankeetown were launched.

The helicopter crew found the people wearing life jackets and sitting in the boat in chest-deep water. The helicopter crew remained until the rescue boat crew arrived.

The boat crew safely rescued all four people and a fish caught by the survivors during their fishing trip. The people were given wool blankets and were taken to a Hernando Beach boat ramp. There were no reported injuries.

"We were fortunate the people had stayed in constant contact with a family member on shore," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Tappan, a crew member aboard the rescue boat. "Having a float plan, and updating it when plans change, allows rescuers to find someone in distress significantly faster."

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org