Coast Guard rescues 4 from sinking ship

2 adults, 2 children rescued from sinking ship

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people from a sinking ship near Sanibel Island Sunday morning.

Officials said they had to rescue two adults and two children from a 19-foot vessel that was taking on water 3 miles south of Sanibel Island.

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Officials said the boat operator called for help around 8:15 a.m. Sunday by cellphone and reported the ship was taking on water after the anchor snapped.

The boat owner said his wife and two children were aboard and all were wearing life jackets, officials said.

All four were rescued safely and brought back to the shore. The boat was towed.

"This is a perfect example of why people should wear their life jackets," said Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Kaminski, operations petty officer at the station. "Situations on the water can quickly change, like today, and having a life jacket on can not only give a person piece of mind to control an emergency situation but also save your life."