HAPPENING NOW: In a tragic maritime incident, American heroes from the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people after a boat capsized off Florida’s coast, while one died and five others remain missing in the perilous waters.
See the tweet below.
The maritime disaster struck 29 miles offshore from St. Lucie Inlet, claiming at least one life in a tragedy that has prompted an extensive search operation amid challenging ocean conditions.
The Coast Guard launched a massive search effort Sunday after receiving an alert from a good Samaritan who spotted the capsized vessel.
By 10 a.m., Coast Guard crews had reached the scene, where they located five of the boat’s occupants floating in the water – four alive and one deceased – while five others remained unaccounted for.
According to survivors, the vessel had capsized on Friday, meaning those rescued had endured nearly two days adrift in the open ocean.
One survivor suffered serious injuries and the three others had non-life-threatening conditions when they were finally pulled from the water by Coast Guard teams working tirelessly to save American lives at sea.
Martin County Fire Rescue transported the injured boaters to Cleveland Clinic’s Martin South Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
The rescue operation highlights the critical importance of America’s Coast Guard, which continues to protect maritime borders and save lives despite often operating with limited resources compared to other military branches.
Details about the vessel’s origin, destination, and the identities of those onboard have not been released.
Moreover, the incident occurred approximately 29 miles off Florida’s coastline, an area known for sometimes treacherous conditions and heavy maritime traffic.
#BREAKING @USCG crews rescued 4 people from a capsized vessel, Sun., approx. 29 miles off St. Lucie Inlet after a good Samaritan reported the incident. A person on board reported the vessel capsized Fri. and an additional 5 people are still missing. The search is ongoing. #SAR pic.twitter.com/R4dc16kyRZ
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) April 13, 2025
The search perimeter has expanded as Coast Guard vessels and aircraft scour the waters for any sign of survivors.
The Coast Guard is urgently continuing its search operations, knowing that time is critical to finding the five missing individuals.
Survival times in open water depend on numerous factors, including water temperature, weather conditions, and whether the missing persons have access to flotation devices.
Coast Guard personnel are trained for exactly these high-stakes rescue missions, demonstrating the exceptional preparedness of our maritime forces.
As the search continues, the incident highlights how quickly Americans enjoying recreational boating can find themselves in life-threatening situations.
The brave response of Coast Guard personnel and the good Samaritan who reported the capsized vessel showcase the best of American values.
