Four people rescued from boat in danger of sinking

Marathon, Florida – On Wednesday morning, four people were rescued from a sinking boat about three miles south of Marathon by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Two Air and Marine Operations boat crews were conducting a training exercise in the area when they heard the distress call over their radios, according to the agency.

According to the boat operator, they were in a 26-foot center console, quickly taking on large amounts of water, and were in danger of sinking.

Both crews raced to the area and rescued the boat’s occupants. They notified the U.S. Coast Guard, who arrived on the scene a short time later, and began to “dewater: the sinking vessel. Eventually, it was safely towed back to land.

“When someone is in distress, their safety and well-being come before their citizenship, nationality, or immigration status,” said Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent, Robert Sellers. “The same resources used for border security are immediately directed to those in need”.