A routine day turned into a life-saving mission for the U.S. Coast Guard after a family of three, including a young child, found themselves stranded in the open ocean near the Bahamas. Thanks to a good Samaritan and a skilled aircrew, the dramatic rescue unfolded with no injuries reported.
Three people – including an 8-year-old child – were rescued earlier this week by the U.S. Coast Guard after their sailboat partially submerged near the Bahamas, officials confirmed.
The emergency call came in just after midnight on Monday, when a good Samaritan alerted Coast Guard watchstanders in the Seventh District. The caller reported a "family in distress" near the waters of Plana Cays, roughly 350 nautical miles southeast of Florida.
By 7 a.m., a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Clearwater located the two adults and child aboard a life raft. All three were safely hoisted into the helicopter using rescue baskets in a dramatic operation captured on video and later shared by the Coast Guard.
“Our aircrews train very hard for moments like this, and we are thankful to have played a role in the safe rescue of this family of three,” said Lt. Andrew Boyle, aircraft commander with the Clearwater station.
After the rescue, the family was flown to Great Inagua and turned over to Bahamian authorities. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The boat’s owner is now working with commercial salvage services to recover the vessel.
Boyle emphasized the importance of preparation at sea, saying, “We urge mariners to carry a radio and an emergency distress beacon in case they find themselves in a similar situation. It could help save their lives.”
The U.S. Coast Guard has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comments.
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