PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard rescues 3 people vessel taking on water near Alligator Reef Lighthouse

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/09/2019 03:25 PM EST

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U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
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Coast Guard rescues 3 people vessel taking on water near Alligator Reef Lighthouse

Two people abandon a vessel taking on water near Windley Island, Florida to swim toward a Coast Guard Station Islamorada 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew who were on scene to rescue them, Nov. 9, 2019.  A Coast Guard Station Islamorada 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew take a moment for a group photo with three people they rescued in the vicinity of Windley Island, Florida after their boat began taking on water, Nov. 9, 2019. A Coast Guard Station Islamorada 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew start to pull a woman and a man aboard the station boat because the a vessel began taking on water in the vicinity of Windley Island, Florida, Nov. 9, 2019.

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard rescued three people from a vessel taking on water in the vicinity of Alligator Reef Lighthouse, Saturday.

A Coast Guard Station Islamorada watchstander received a 911-relay call reporting a vessel taking on water near Windley Island. A station 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boatcrew was launched to assist the distressed boaters.

“These boaters had life jackets on when our rescue crew arrived on scene, which tremendously helps the situation and get these people safely out of the water," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kendrick Everette, a Coast Guard Sector Key West command center watchstander. "Our crews were ready to respond to a maritime emergency like this, because we train to be quickly responsive. Within the maritime domain, time is key and a quick response could make a world of a difference.”

The RB—M crew arrived on scene and safely recovered the three boaters from the water with no reported injuries.

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-USCG-