HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Two individuals and their dog were rescued from Tampa Bay on Saturday evening after their boat capsized near Gadsden Point.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Aviation and Marine units responded to the scene around 6:11 PM after receiving a distress call. The boaters reported that their vessel had been struck by a wake from a cruise ship, causing it to capsize and sink.
The two individuals and their dog were able to swim to a nearby buoy, where they clung until help arrived. The HCSO Aviation unit located the stranded boaters and guided the Marine unit to their location.
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With assistance from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Coast Guard, the two individuals and their dog were safely rescued from the water.
The rescued boaters were transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.
“Our team’s coordinated response with other agencies led to the successful rescue of two people who desperately needed help,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will continue to work together to protect lives on our waterways.”
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