Coast Guard rescues 9 when pontoon boat overturns off Florida Keys

No medical concerns were reported

File photo. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP) (Andy Newman)

KEY WEST, Fla. – A U.S. Coast Guard crew rescued nine pepole when their pontoon overturned near off the Florida Keys, officials said.

A call came in to Station Key West on Sunday afternoon that people without lifejackets were in the water near Boca Chica Channel, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

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A crew responded and rescued the stranded boaters. No medical concerns were reported, the release said.

Boaters should wear life jackets, check the weather, make sure there is a registered emergency position indicator and radio beacon on board and that all safety gear is up to date before heading out into the water, Petty Officer 2nd Class Falcon Piner said.

“Life jackets help save lives, thankfully in this case our crew quickly arrived on scene and rescued all people from the water who weren’t wearing life jackets,” Piner said.