Coast Guard saves couple, dog from sinking boat 50 miles off Cedar Key

CLEARWATER — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a couple and their dog from their boat early Friday morning as it began to sink.

The couple were about 50 miles off the coast of Cedar Key when their 59-foot boat, Splash of Lime, began to take on water, officials said. There was nothing they could do to stop it.

The man called the Coast Guard about 7:20 a.m. to report the problem, and a helicopter crew tried to help the couple save the vessel.

The Coast Guard crew left when the helicopter, an MH-60 Jayhawk, was forced to return to land to refuel. The couple called again, saying the water would not stop pouring in.

The helicopter returned a short time later, this time to rescue the couple and their dog. They were all hoisted aboard the helicopter and taken to Clearwater, where they were met by emergency personnel.

No one was injured.

It was not immediately clear whether the boat was salvageable.