Five rescued from boat that capsized off coast of Pasco County

ANCLOTE KEY — Five people were rescued Saturday by the Coast Guard from a boat that capsized off the coast of Pasco County.

The 20-foot center console boat capsized about 15 miles northwest of Anclote Key.

The vessel sent out a mayday report on channel 16 — which is used by boaters to send distress signals — before it completely capsized, the Coast Guard said.

Sector St. Petersburg received the distress call and had a 45-foot Response Boat launched from Coast Guard Station Sand Key to help. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office also sent a 20-foot boat to the area.

All five people were rescued and taken back to land. No one was injured in the incident, the Coast Guard said.

Coast guardsmen did not say what caused the boat to capsize.

“It’s so important to ensure safety equipment is working prior to leaving the dock,” said Coast Guard Capt. Mathew Thompson in a statement. “In cases like this, the use of life jackets and using channel 16 through a VHF-FM radio made a critical difference for the rescue units being able to provide support when the boaters were in distress.”

The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to file a float plan, issue proper life jackets to everyone onboard and have a working VHF-FM radio and a back-up communications device, like a satellite phone. For more boating tips, visit the Coast Guard’s safe boating page.