Two boaters found themselves in distress this past Saturday when their vessel began taking on water at Haulover Inlet, but quick action by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue saved them. CBS News Miami reports it was approximately 1:22 p.m. when two Ocean Rescue Lifeguard units responded to the scene. They found the boat in jeopardy and, utilizing a rescue board, retrieved the two passengers and brought them safely to shore.
Following the incident, both passengers emerged unscathed, and neither required medical attention. As part of a public service message, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue—via press release—advised boaters to ensure they are wearing size-appropriate U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets and to keep boating equipment, like VHF radios, in good working condition for such emergencies. The cause of the vessel's issues is still being looked into.
Local 10 News tagged the event as a "hazardous situation" and stated that rescuers were on the scene near the 10800 block of Collins Avenue just after 1:20 p.m.
Reiterating the importance of safety measures, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel advocated for the use of lifejackets and made a point, to remind boaters of the necessity of having all necessary equipment in working order. On top of life-saving gear, being able to communicate effectively in times of crisis, through VHF radio, can make the difference between an incident and a tragedy.
