U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy Crews Rescue Four After Boat Capsizes 30 Miles Off Florida Coast

“They Did Everything Right”: Life Jackets and Radio Save Four After Boat Capsizes

MIAMI, FLORIDA — Four boaters are safe after a coordinated U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy rescue operation saved them from the water when their vessel capsized roughly 30 miles north of Key West on Wednesday.

According to Coast Guard officials, the incident involved a 28-foot recreational boat that overturned amid 2- to 4-foot seas and winds estimated at 18 mph.

One of the boaters was able to transmit a distress call on marine Channel 16 using a handheld radio just before the vessel capsized, alerting Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Key West.

An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued, prompting an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew—already airborne on a routine patrol—to divert and search the area.

The crew quickly located the four people in the water after spotting smoke coming from the capsized vessel.

With their boat disabled and conditions deteriorating, the boaters took safety measures that likely proved lifesaving. Officials said all four were wearing life jackets and tied themselves together to remain as a group in the open water while awaiting rescue.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami arrived on scene and deployed a rescue swimmer into the water. The swimmer assisted with hoisting three of the survivors into the helicopter.

Shortly afterward, a U.S. Navy MH-60S Marlin helicopter crew from Naval Air Station Key West arrived and completed the rescue, hoisting both the Coast Guard rescue swimmer and the fourth survivor.

All four boaters were reported to be in stable condition and were airlifted to Key West International Airport, where they were transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel for evaluation.

“We’re proud of our crews and our Navy partners for helping save four lives after their vessel capsized,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Tabitha Pearigen, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Key West. “This is what we do. We want to save lives; we train to save lives.”

Pearigen emphasized that the actions taken by the boaters played a critical role in the successful outcome.

“The boaters did a lot of things right—wearing life jackets and staying in communication—which made a real difference in keeping everyone safe,” she said. “As we head into the new year, this is a good reminder to check the weather, wear your gear, and make sure you have a way to call for help before getting underway.”

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