CLEARWATER, Fla. – Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach rescue crews saved seven boaters after a vessel allision near Fort Myers Beach, Sunday.
Station Fort Myers Beach launched two boat crews and safely transferred all seven boaters to awaiting emergency medical service personnel in stable condition at the station.
A Station Fort Myers Beach watchstander notified Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders of a vessel allision between a 36-foot vessel and barge around 10 p.m., Sunday.
"We commend our crews for a swift response with seamless coordination with local EMS ensuring that all boaters involved received timely care,” said Cmdr. Fredrick Pugh, a Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg search and rescue mission coordinator. “Coast Guard investigative officers and FWC are working to determine the cause of the allision and verify the details leading up to the incident.”
A Station Fort Myers Beach boat crew towed the vessel back to the station.
The Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating the accident.
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