Nine boaters rescued from two sinking vessels during small craft advisory, April 13
Photos courtesy of CCSO.
On Saturday afternoon, April 13, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Marine Unit, along with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), rescued nine boaters from two separate reports of sinking vessels while a small craft advisory was in place.
Around noon, the CCSO Marine Unit was dispatched to a sinking vessel with two subjects in the water, approximately 14 miles northwest of Shell Island.
Upon arrival, Marine Deputies Sudlow and Seidenstucker observed a 17-foot fiberglass vessel capsized (see photos), with two adults in the water holding onto the boat. A north wind was blowing approximately 15 to 20 mph, causing large, six-foot waves.
Deputies got both subjects aboard the CCSO’s Marine Unit vessel and transported them to Pete’s Pier in Crystal River, where FWC officers completed the investigation. The rescued individuals were not injured, but were very cold due to the water temperature being 68 degrees.
Just six hours later, CCSO’s Marine Unit was dispatched to another sinking vessel, approximately 18 miles southwest of Shell Island, with five adults and two juveniles on board.
Marine Deputies Sudlow, Seidenstucker, and Fischer responded to the location, along with officers with the FWC and the USCG. Rescuers arrived at the location to find all seven people on board.
The vessel had lost engine power, and due to worsening sea conditions, was taking waves over the bow and stern.
Everyone on the vessel was out of cell phone range but had utilized their Emergency-Position-Indicating-Radiobeacon (EPIRB) to alert first responders they were in danger.
All seven were rescued and transported to Pete’s Pier without injuries.