MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WWSB) – A charter fishing excursion turned into a rescue mission July 4 when a charter boat rescued four people in another vessel that had become disabled off Madeira Beach.
Hubbard’s Marina’s Florida Fisherman was conducting a 39-hour fishing charter when crew overheard a U.S. Coast Guard radio call at about 3 p.m. about a disabled vessel in their vicinity, the marina said in a news release.
The captain changed course to offer assistance. The Hubbard’s Marina crew helped the disabled vessel get its engines running again. Believing the situation had been resolved, the Florida Fisherman resumed fishing.
But at about 6 p.m., the same vessel broke down again and the Florida Fisherman responded for a second time.
With a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter orbiting overhead, the crew safely transferred all four individuals from the disabled vessel onto the Florida Fisherman.
Arrangements are expected to be made for the recovery of the disabled vessel, the marina said.
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