Local

New Smyrna boaters barely make it back to shore after vessel takes on water

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A group of boaters that nearly sank made it to shore safely in New Smyrna Beach Wednesday afternoon.

Coast Guard officials said the 23-foot vessel, Mo Money, began taking on water 25 miles offshore about 10:30 a.m.

Authorities said the boat’s hull cracked, but the boaters were able to temporarily patch it with a life jacket.

The boat continued to take on water, but the Coast Guard helped pump the water out and escorted the boaters to Coast Guard Station Ponce De Leon Inlet.

"This rescue is an excellent example of why it is so important for boaters to have VHF-FM marine radios," said Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Sullivan, Sector Jacksonville command duty officer. "The men were able to contact us immediately to tell us they were in trouble, and we were able to maintain communication with them until our boat crew arrived."

No injuries were reported.