A tragic boating accident off Florida’s Atlantic Coast has left one person dead, four rescued, and five still missing as of Monday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The incident occurred about 29 miles off the coast of St. Lucie Inlet, roughly 46 miles north of West Palm Beach. Coast Guard crews have been working tirelessly since Sunday to locate the missing individuals.
The search began after a distress call came in from another boater who spotted the capsized vessel. Coast Guard teams quickly arrived at the scene and managed to pull four people from the water, three of whom sustained injuries. Thankfully, none of those injuries are considered life-threatening.
Tragically, one person was found dead at the scene. The name of the deceased has not yet been released, pending family notification.
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According to one of the survivors, the boat capsized on Friday, meaning the rescued individuals had been floating at sea for nearly two days before help arrived. Their survival is being described as “miraculous” given the rough conditions in open waters.
Coast Guard officials have not confirmed what led to the boat’s capsizing, but they continue to investigate the incident while maintaining an active search for the missing.
“We are using every available resource — aircraft, boats, and coordinated efforts with local agencies — to bring the remaining people home,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said on Monday.
As the search enters its second full day, families are holding onto hope. Officials are urging any boaters in the area to keep an eye out and report any possible sightings.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of open-water travel and the importance of emergency preparedness while boating.
