NAPLES, Fla. — The Naples Fire-Rescue Department received a Marine Emergency at approximately 6:26 am on March 7th.
The Department received a report of a capsized vessel approximately four and a half miles off Gordon Pass.
Both Fire Boat 1 and Fire Boat 50 (Marco Fire-Rescue) responded.
The US Coast Guard received the distress signal and contacted the Coast Guard Fort Myers Beach.
The Coast Guard says two persons were traveling from the Tampa area and their sailboat capsized.
Both subjects were wearing EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
The US Coast Guard Sector in St. Pete contacted Battalion 1 who initiated a MERT incident and both fireboats were dispatched.
Fire Boat 1 pulled both subjects from the capsized vessel onto Fire Boat 1.
There were no reported injuries.
Both subjects were transported back to Fire Station 1 and allowed to shower and warm up.
Their family was not able to be contacted due to everyone camping near the Keys area, which is where both subjects were heading.
Naples IAFF and FOP unions arranged for a hotel room and food money until the family can be contacted.
