HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A quick response by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Marine Section led to the rescue of a man from an overturned vessel near Spoil Island in Tampa Bay.
The rescue happened on April 5, after the 911 Center received a distress call reporting the capsized boat. A Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatcher quickly relayed the information to the Marine Section.
Upon locating the overturned vessel, an HCSO deputy utilized a throw rope to pull one man to safety from the sinking boat. Good Samaritans had already rescued the four other passengers from the vessel on nearby boats, who had stopped to render aid to the mariners, according to deputies.
READ: Human Smugglers That Got Rich Off Border Crisis Now Going Dead Broke
All five occupants of the overturned boat were transported to the Williams Park boat ramp, where they were evaluated and confirmed to be in good condition.
Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the efforts of everyone involved in the rescue.
“This rescue is a reminder of the life-saving role our 911 dispatchers play every day,” said Sheriff Chronister. “Their fast thinking and coordination with our Marine Section ensured a quick response that helped bring everyone to safety.” The Sheriff’s Office highlighted the crucial partnership between their dispatchers and marine units, as well as the invaluable assistance provided by the citizens who stopped to help, in ensuring a positive outcome to the emergency.
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.
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.
