CITRUS COUNTY, FL – This past weekend, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Marine Unit, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, successfully rescued nine boaters from two sinking vessels amid challenging conditions.
The first incident occurred on Saturday, April 13, around noon when a 17-foot fiberglass vessel capsized 14 miles northwest of Shell Island. The CCSO Marine Unit, led by Deputies Sudlow and Seidenstucker, arrived to find two adults in the water. Despite the north wind generating large, six-foot waves, the deputies managed to rescue the individuals, who were cold but uninjured, and transport them to safety at Pete’s Pier in Crystal River.
Later that day, a second rescue was executed approximately 18 miles southwest of Shell Island for a vessel carrying five adults and two juveniles. The boat had lost engine power and was taking on water from the rough seas. Deputies Sudlow, Seidenstucker, and Fischer, along with FWC and the USCG, responded to the distress signal emitted by the boat’s Emergency-Position-Indicating-Radiobeacon. All seven passengers were safely rescued and brought to Pete’s Pier.
Sheriff Mike Prendergast praised the prompt actions of the responders, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for sea conditions and always having the necessary safety equipment on board.