CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard rescued seven people Tuesday night, taking them off of a boat taking on water in the Buffalo Outer Harbor.
The names of the people rescued are not being released, and there is no imagery.
At about 9 p.m., a watchstander at Coast Guard Station Buffalo received a phone call from a 911 operator reporting seven people aboard a 21-foot vessel that had struck a reef while operating outside of the marked channel and was taking on water rapidly.
The watchstander issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting assistance from any other nearby boaters and rescue boatcrew from Station Buffalo launched aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small.
The boatcrew arrived on scene and brought all seven people aboard the RB-S. When the rescue crew arrived, the vessel was completely sunk with only 4 inches of hull showing above the water line.
The rescue boatcrew placed a pump on the sinking vessel and towed the boat to the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, where it was returned to its trailer.
None of the seven people needed medical attention.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to become familiar with the area in which they will be boating. Having up-to-date navigational tools such as paper or electronic charts, U.S. Chart No. 1, and light lists can help boaters avoid potentially hazardous areas.
“Boaters cannot see underwater, which is why the Coast Guard maintains aids to navigation,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas D’Amore, officer-of-the-day at Coast Guard Station Buffalo. "While there's no perfect substitute for experience and local knowledge, we encourage boaters to exercise prudence and use available tools when navigating unfamiliar waters."