Local

Family of 4 rescued from sinking boat off Sanibel Island

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Four people, including two children, were rescued from a sinking boat off Sanibel Island by Coast Guard members Sunday.

Officials said the 19-foot boat began sinking early in the morning and the operator of the boat contacted the Coast Guard station on Fort Myers Beach about 8 a.m.

The boater said his anchor snapped and flooded the vessel. He also reported his wife and two children were aboard.

When the Coast Guard crew arrived, they were able to pull the family to safety and put the boat in a tow.

Officials said the family was smart to have all worn life jackets.

“This is a perfect example of why people should wear their life jackets,” said said Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Kaminski, operations petty officer at the station. "Situations on the water can deteriorate quickly, like today, and having a life jacket on can not only give a person piece of mind to control an emergency situation but also save your life."