MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard rescues 3 from spoil island in Hillsborough Bay

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 03/04/2018 11:56 AM EST

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
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MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard rescues 3 from spoil island in Hillsborough Bay

Coast Guard rescues 3 teens from spoil island in Hillsborough Bay
Crewmembers from Station St. Petersburg stand with three teenagers and a dog at Williams Park, Tampa, Florida, March 3, 2018. The crewmembers rescued the 17-year-olds and the dog from a spoil island in Hillsborough Bay after their 21-foot boat ran aground. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Ruxton.) A Coast Guard 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boatcrew from Station St. Petersburg rescues three teenagers and their dog from a spoil island in Hillsborough Bay, Florida, March 3, 2018. The 17-year-olds were rescued after their boat ran aground on the island. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Ruxton.)

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —The Coast Guard rescued three teenagers from a spoil island in Hillsborough Bay, Saturday.

Rescued were 17-year-olds William Hardy, Reese Riggio and Nick Sweet.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders received a call from Eckerd College Search and Rescue reporting three people were stranded after a 21-foot boat ran aground on a spoil island.

Watchstanders issued a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast asking for assistance from other boaters in the area. After no response to the MARB, a 29-foot Response Boat Small-II boatcrew from Station St. Petersburg was launched. The boatcrew transported the teenagers and their dog, Colt, to William's Park where the teen's parents awaited. 

There were no reported injuries.

"The crew was very helpful and they did a great job of keeping us calm," said Sweet. "They were very professional, and loved the dog."

Sweet said he would recommend other boaters always check tide charts before going out on the water. The Coast Guard couldn't agree more.

"We ask boaters to check the weather before leaving the dock," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Moriwaki, a crewmember at Station St. Petersburg. "This includes tides, and knowing the limitations of your boat. Even in Florida you can be susceptible to cold weather."

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-USCG-