FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Bodycam video captures the moment 11 people were rescued Tuesday afternoon after a pontoon boat overturned near Fort Myers Beach.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies with the LCSO Marine Unit were dispatched around 2:10 p.m. and arrived within three minutes of the emergency call. When they reached the scene, they found the pontoon boat flipped in the water with all 11 occupants already in distress.
Authorities said several nearby boaters jumped into action before deputies arrived, helping keep passengers safe until the Marine Unit could take over.
“You got one. So that’s five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. All right, come in here,” the deputy said on bodycam video.
On March 25, 2026, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit rescued 11 people after their pontoon boat overturned near Fort Myers Beach when a large wave and high winds caused it to capsize. (LCSO)
With the combined effort of deputies and good Samaritans, all 11 people were pulled from the water, according to LCSO.
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Two passengers suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The sheriff’s office said the boat overturned after being hit by a large wave during a period of high winds. The damaged vessel was later towed from the area.
Deputies credited the quick response and the fast actions of nearby boaters for preventing more serious injuries. The incident remains under review.