Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard District 7
MIAMI — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people from a sinking vessel Thursday morning just 3 miles east of Key Largo.
Eric Kample, 40, and Robert Pflugh, 56 called the Coast Guard Sector Key West and said their 36-foot boat was on the verge of capsizing.
Watch standers launched a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and the Coast Guard Station Islamorada response team to assist.
The helicopter crew hoisted one person, the boat crew rescued the other person. Both were transferred to Coast Guard facilities with no reported injuries.
"Thanks to the proper use of the VHF-FM radio, were were able to have assets on the scene within 30 minutes of receiving the distress call," said Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Steidell.