PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues 5 from water offshore Freeport, Texas

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/17/2021 08:01 PM EDT

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 News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
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Coast Guard rescues 5 from water offshore Freeport, Texas

A Coast Guard Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew recovers their gear from the water after rescuing five people whose 20-foot pleasure craft starting sinking 1 mile off Freeport, Texas, Oct. 17, 2021. When the boaters called for help, all five were standing on the swamped vessel, wearing life jackets and preparing to enter the water. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Station Freeport) A Coast Guard Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew surveys a partially sunken 20-foot vessel after rescuing five people from the water 1 mile off Freeport, Texas, Oct. 17, 2021. After pulling the five adults from the water, the Coast Guard boat crew dewatered the vessel enough to tow it safely ashore. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Station Freeport)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download a high-resolution version.

HOUSTON — The Coast Guard rescued five people from the water after their vessel started sinking 1 mile offshore Freeport, Texas, Sunday.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center watchstanders received notification at noon from Brazoria County 911 dispatchers that five adults aboard a sinking 20-foot pleasure craft were in distress near the mouth of the Brazos River. All five boaters were standing aboard their swamped vessel and wearing life jackets.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast while a Coast Guard Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat–Medium crew launched to assist.

The RB–M crew arrived on scene, pulled the five boaters from the water and dewatered the sunken vessel enough to put it in tow. The crew then towed the boat to Bridge Bait Marina in Freeport.

No injuries were reported.

“These boaters’ decision to proactively don life jackets assuredly contributed to the successful outcome of this case,” said Coast Guard Capt. Keith Donohue, search and rescue mission controller for the case. “Emergencies can strike without warning on the water, and it’s imperative that all boaters wear their life jackets at all times and pay attention to weather conditions while operating offshore.”

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