The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people April 9 after a 75-foot yacht sank about 19 miles west of Egmont Key.
USCG Petty Officer Brigitta Lambright said the yacht had been attempting to tow a 34-foot boat when it began taking on water.
Waves were 4-6 feet in height and the wind was 25-30 mph, she added.
Each vessel was initially traveling with two recreational boaters from Florida. Lambright had no additional information about their identity or residence.
They radioed the USCG for help at 7:20 a.m. and a five-member crew on a boat from Cortez joined a helicopter and rescue swimmer from Clearwater to respond to the emergency in territorial waters, she said.
The swimmer was aboard the boat trying to dewater the engine room and cabin when the Cortez crew arrived, Lambright added.
The USCG towed the 34-foot boat to Bradenton Beach Marina and the boaters were brought safely ashore, she said.
“The important thing is that they gave us a call. Their radios were working,” Lambright said.
— Kathy Prucnell