BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit was able to rescue a stranded boater and his dog Saturday.
Deputies said the man, who was not identified, took his boat out on Lake Poinsett about 9 a.m. and was reported missing about 3 p.m.
Chief John Coppola flew a Huey helicopter in the area and spotted the boater clinging to the 14-foot overturned vessel.
The victim’s small dog was on top of the boat.
Two tactical flight officers jumped from the helicopter and into the water to give the victim a life jacket.
They said the man was extremely exhausted and had been clinging to the boat for nearly six hours.
Another boater was then seen nearby and rescuers were able to get the victim and dog on board.
The man was taken to the shoreline and transported to the hospital because of his low vital signs.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey praised the quick actions of the rescuers on the office’s Facebook page.