Saturday Storm Prompts Boat Rescues

The strong thunderstorm that swept through Sarasota Saturday prompted and a few good samaritans to rescue several people capsized from boats. 

At about 6:20 p.m. Saturday as a severe thunderstorm passed through carrying high wind gusts, the Sarasota Police Department received a call that at least three vessels capsized and other boats were in distress. 

At 6:27 p.m., Officer King was dispatched to a report of three capsized boats north of the in Sarasota Bay, with people in the water, according to the police department.  Officer King led the rescue effort.  He was joined by Officer Schwenk, Officer Pucci, and Officer Dubendorf.

Captain Michael Wackelin of Towboat US observed the officers launching the police boat.  When officers informed Wackelin of the situation he immediately jumped on his work boat and went to the area to offer assistance, according to police.  

While heading to the capsized vessels, officers heard several distress calls broadcast over the VHF radio.  Communications between the distressed boaters and the U.S. Coast Guard led officers to an area off Longboat Key in Sarasota Bay. Upon arrival officers saw three overturned sailboats.

The first vessel was a 19 foot sloop with two people in the water clinging to the hull, according to police. Officers pulled the people on board and moved to the next capsized vessel.  

During the rescue efforts a motorboat from the Sailing Squadron contacted officers and advised that five sailboats had been caught in the storm as well.

Officers approached the second capsized sailboat and removed one of three crew members from the water, according to police. The other two crew members choose to stay with Wackelin, who transported them and their back back to the Sailing Squadron and refused payment from the rescued crew for his services, according to police.

The third capsized vessel received assistance from unidentified good samaritans and did not require any additional rescue assistance from the officers, according to police.

Officers searched the area until it was determined the other vessels had made it back to port safely.  Officers then returned to the first capsized sailboat, righted it and towed the boat back to the Sailing Squadron, according to police