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Coast Guard rescues fishing boat more than 60 miles off John's Pass

 
Published Jan. 14, 2014

Two boaters were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Saturday afternoon after their fishing vessel started taking on water more than 60 miles off John's Pass.

One of the boaters called for help about 1:40 p.m. to report their 36-foot commercial fishing vessel was taking on water, Coast Guard officials said. They were keeping up with a hand pump, the boaters reported, but needed help.

Coast Guard units based in St. Petersburg sent out a helicopter from their Clearwater air station. The helicopter delivered a de-watering pump to the boat and lowered a rescue swimmer, who helped them install the pump.

The crew restarted the ship's engine and headed back toward Madeira Beach.