HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County deputies rescued a stranded 71-year-old boater Monday night near Williams Park.
A marine unit received a distress call for the boat around 11 p.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. The boat was reportedly taking on water near Spoil Island.
A deputy managed to make his way through shallow waters to rescue the boater, who showed signs of medical distress, according to the sheriff's office. The man was safely taken to shore and evaluated by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue at Williams Park Boat Ramp, deputies said.
"I'm incredibly grateful that no injuries occurred during last night's rescue mission," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "This incident highlights the crucial importance of our units' quick actions and dedication to protecting and serving our community."
Safety procedures for stranded boaters
Anyone who finds themselves stranded on a boat should practice the following procedures, according to Boat Ed.
During the day
- The orange distress flag is the international symbol of distress on water, according to Boat Ed. Place the flag as high as possible on your boat to help other boaters see your call for help from several miles away.
- Hand-held orange smoke flares are more effective than red flares for daytime use. Orange smoke lingers in the air and will help other boaters see your request for assistance.
During nighttime
- Electric signal lights can display bright signal lighting for an extended period and can be affixed to the boat in the same way as an orange distress flag, according to Boat Ed.
- Red flares are also useful at nighttime and usually burn for about six seconds, which is enough time for other boaters to see your call for distress
For more safety procedures and protocols, click here.