Three boaters rescued from Matanzas inlet

Matthew Sara updated local Historic City News reporters about this afternoon’s marine rescue of three boaters stranded on a sandbar just north of the Matanzas inlet.

According to the incident reported to St Johns County Fire Rescue, a boat ran aground on the shoals at approximately 3:30 p.m. today, and was taking on water.

St Johns County responded with an ALS engine, 2 marine rescue units equipped with 2 personal water crafts, one rescue unit, and a battalion chief.

Upon arrival, crews found an approximately 16-foot, unmanned fishing boat in the surf.

Passengers aboard another nearby fishing boat were retrieving two people from the water and another from the sandbar. The boaters had been wearing personal floatation devices, Sara told reporters.

Fire rescue crews launched a water craft and made contact with the fishing boat.

It was determined that one of the subjects was in cardiac arrest, and a paramedic rescue-swimmer boarded the vessel and immediately initiated CPR.

The patient was transported to the dock at Fort Matanzas and stabilized for transportation to Flagler Hospital in critical condition. The boat was towed and secured by St Johns County Marine Rescue.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will be investigating the incident. There were no other injuries reported.