Two Rescued After Sailboat Crashes Into Manatee Avenue Bridge Piling
A coordinated rescue effort by Manatee County Beach Patrol, Manatee County Emergency Medical Services and West Manatee Fire Rescue helped save two people Monday after a sailboat struck a bridge piling near the Manatee Avenue Bridge.
According to West Manatee Fire Rescue, strong winds caused the approximately 30-foot catamaran to crash into a bridge piling, snapping the vessel’s mast and leaving the occupants stranded in the water.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. A Beach Patrol lifeguard and a West Manatee Fire Rescue rescue swimmer entered the water and swam to the damaged sailboat to assist the injured boater and safely remove both occupants from the vessel.
The two individuals were brought ashore at the Kingfish Boat Ramp, where emergency medical personnel evaluated them. One person suffered a head laceration and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials have not released an update on that individual’s condition.
Manatee County praised the teamwork displayed by its Beach Patrol lifeguards, EMS personnel and West Manatee Fire Rescue, noting the agencies worked seamlessly together to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
Officials are also reminding boaters to check marine conditions and weather forecasts before heading onto the water. Strong winds and rapidly changing weather can create dangerous conditions, making careful planning and extra caution essential for safe boating.
