Plant City Family Saved By Hillsborough Sheriff's Marine Unit Sunday As Boat Sank

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Eleven people were rescued from a sinking boat Sunday afternoon with U.S. Coast Guard assistance and HCSO Marine Unit assistance near the Davis Island Yacht Club, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release said.

A boat carrying a Plant City family lost power shortly after 3:30 p.m., and then water started overtaking the vessel causing it to sink. Rescue crews were able to reach them and bring them to safety, deputies said.

Sheriff Chad Chronister helped with the rescue, too.

"There was no hesitancy on behalf of the brave men and women of the HCSO Marine Unit and other agencies in working together to bring this family back to shore," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "As traumatic and scary as this ordeal was for the adults, and especially the children, we're glad they were able to count on the kindness of our deputies to calm their nerves and even get some smiles at the end from a very grateful family."

Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa Police also assisted with the rescue.