9 people rescued from sinking boat off of Star Island

Nearly a dozen people needed rescue Friday night after their boat began taking on water in Biscayne Bay according to Miami Herald news partner CBS4.

Coast Guard crews responded to the distress call at 9:10 p.m. and spotted the 44-foot boat just west of Star Island.

In a joint effort with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, all 9 passengers — including children — were taken safely off the boat while crews worked to stop the leak, preventing the boat from completely sinking.

The passengers were returned to the Rickenbacker Marina at Key Biscayne.

This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 9:03 PM with the headline "9 people rescued from sinking boat off of Star Island."