Florida Keys

Coast Guard rescues nine people from sinking boat off Islamorada

By David Goodhue
A 19-foot vessel goes down off the coast of Islamorada Thursday, July 5, 2018, after crews from Coast Guard Station Islamorada rescued all nine passengers.
A 19-foot vessel goes down off the coast of Islamorada Thursday, July 5, 2018, after crews from Coast Guard Station Islamorada rescued all nine passengers. Coast Guard Station Islamorada

Crews from Coast Guard Station Islamorada saved nine people from a sinking boat off Plantation Key Thursday afternoon.

According to Station Islamorada, the 19-foot rental vessel sank around 4 p.m. at Hens and Chickens Reef, a shallow coral reef popular with snorkelers.

The nine people saved from their sinking vessel off Islamorada Thursday, July 5, 2018, gather for a photo with their rescuers.
The nine people saved from their sinking vessel off Islamorada Thursday, July 5, 2018, gather for a photo with their rescuers. Coast Guard Station Islamorada

The Coast Guard crew members were able to get all the passengers, who were on a snorkeling excursion, on board a patrol boat without injuries.

The boat was anchored when it began taking on water, and some of the passengers started jumping in the water, according to Station Islamorada.

This story was originally published July 5, 2018 at 7:40 PM.

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