TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two injured boaters and their dog were rescued over the weekend after Hillsborough County deputies found them hanging onto a buoy in the middle of the water.
The boaters were left stranded on Saturday, Jan. 4 after their boat hit a wake from a cruise ship near Gadsden Point and sank, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
4 rescued from sinking boat off coast of Florida, Coast Guard says
The HCSO’s Aviation and Marine sections, along with HCSO Fire Rescue and the Coast Guard went out to search for the boaters after the accident.
Authorities said the two people and their dog were able to swim to a buoy, where searchers found them just as the sun was setting around 6 p.m.
The sheriff’s office said both people sustained injuries from the crash. They were rescued and taken to Tampa General Hospital.
“Our team’s coordinated response with other agencies led to the successful rescue of two people who desperately needed help,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will continue to work together to protect lives on our waterways.”