Authorities ID boater rescued off Apollo Beach

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Tbo.com
Published: May 04, 2009
Updated: May 04, 2009 - 11:34 AM

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A boater rescued after five hours treading water has been identified as Michael Farmer, 43, of Brandon.

Farmer, who was not wearing a life jacket, appeared to be in stable condition, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Sondra-Kay Kneen.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office found a 31-foot Sea Ray sport boat run aground on Apollo Beach about 10 p.m. Sunday. The engine was running, but no one was aboard, Kneen said. Deputies found a cell phone and wallet on the boat and contacted the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard launched a helicopter and search boat and found Farmer, who had climbed on a navigational buoy about 1.5 miles west of Apollo Beach, Kneen said. He told rescuers he had fallen off the back of his boat.