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Boaters Headed Home After Nearly Sinking

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TBO.com

Published: October 11, 2008

Updated: 10/11/2008 01:42 pm

CLEARWATER - A disabled 46-foot cabin cruiser that had lost power and was in danger of capsizing, has restarted her engines and is heading toward shore this afternoon under its own power.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter and a 47-foot vessel were escorting the boat in, authorities said.

The situation appeared tense just before noon, as the helicopter hovered over boat that was taking on water some 40 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to Coast Guard OS First Class Michael Case, the initial call for help came in shortly before 11 a.m.

The three unidentified adult males were on board and no one appeared to be injured, Case said.

The rescue helicopter was in the air on a training exercise and was diverted to the cabin cruiser, Case said. The helicopter was going to lower down a pump to bail some of the water, he said.

The vessel was 40 miles west of Bayport, Case said.

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