HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Marine Unit, with the assistance of the Aviation Section, rescued 13 people from a damaged boat.
On Saturday, November 9th, around 5:30 PM, HCSO received a distress call regarding a boat in distress with multiple passengers. The Aviation Unit guided the Marine Unit to the location of the vessel, which was damaged and taking on water.
READ: Lakeland Man Convicted In Central Florida Drug Trafficking Ring
Three passengers had been ejected from the boat due to a large wave but were rescued by a Good Samaritan before the arrival of authorities.
The remaining passengers were safely evacuated by the Marine Unit and transported to Harborage Marina, where they were met by emergency medical services.
READ: Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco Arrested Again In Dominican Republic
“This successful rescue operation is a testament to the power of different sections and agencies working well together,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We’re grateful to have been able to bring all these individuals to safety, and I commend the outstanding efforts of our deputies and HCFR.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.