Coast Guard rescues 7 boaters near Pine Island

The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued seven people after their boat took on water Saturday near Pine Island. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watch standers received a Marine Emergency Response Team alert reporting a 15′ Pontoon boat was taking on water in the vicinity of Bokeelia near the northern part of Pine Island.

A Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew was launched, arrived on scene and reported the vessel taking on water through the sponson, but could still make way. Charlotte County Fire and Rescue and Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist.

The boat crew safely escorted vessel to the Burnt Store Boat Ramp with no reported injuries.

“It’s important that people have all the right safety equipment and working communication equipment when going out on the water,” said Lt. David Figueroa, command duty officer at Sector St. Petersburg. “It’s important to always wear a life jacket, because you never know when it could save your life.”