VILANO BEACH, Fla. – Two boaters were saved from a sinking 55-foot boat that reached “rough” conditions Wednesday in Vilano Beach, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue.
A St. Johns County Marine Rescue crew member noticed the boat in distress around 3:15 p.m.
On Wednesday, June 19th, the SJSO Air Unit located two people on board a sinking 55-foot boat near the Vilano Inlet.
— St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (@TeamSJSO) June 21, 2024
The waves were rough. Both passengers put on life jackets, jumped into the water, and waited until rescue arrived.
The response to the area and rescue of the two… pic.twitter.com/w1IlRFAhne
Water started taking over the boat after it ran aground on the north side of the Vilano Inlet.
The boaters sent a mayday call and got off the boat with their life jackets. The current pulled them out to sea, and SJCFR located them about 200 yards from the sinking boat.
The boaters were evaluated and will be okay.