2 boaters rescued after sailboat capsizes off Collier County

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published:
Two boaters from the Tampa area were rescued Sunday morning off the coast of Collier County. (Credit: Naples Fire-Rescue)

Two boaters from the Tampa area were rescued Sunday morning off the coast of Collier County.

Naples Fire-Rescue says the report came in at 6:26 a.m. of a capsized sailboat about 4 and a half miles off Gordon Pass.

Both people on the boat were wearing an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

Fire Boat 1 and Fire Boat 50 with Marco Fire-Rescue responded after contact from the Coast Guard. The Key West Express was first on the scene, and Fire Boat 1 arrived shortly after, pulling both people from the sailboat. Neither were injured. They were taken back to Fire Station 1 to shower and warm up.

Naples Fire-Rescue says the boaters were heading to the Keys area where their family was camping. The Naples IAFF and FOP unions arranged for a hotel room and food money until the family could be reached.

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