Dramatic Rescue At Sea Near Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami Beach police have released dramatic bodycam video of a weekend rescue at sea. The incident unfolded several miles from the Bakers-Haulover Inlet early Sunday morning when Miami Beach Marine Patrol received a report about a capsized boat with three people in the water.

"Prior to capsizing, the boat owner was able to make a 9-1-1 call with his limited known whereabouts," according to Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department. "They were located by Marine Patrol officer, Thomas Fleischhauer, two miles northeast of their last known location clinging to the boat with no life jackets on."

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Rodriguez said that the boaters managed to hang on for close to an hour before help arrived.

"The boaters were treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and are expected to be okay," Rodriguez said, noting that rough seas are believed to have been to blame for capsizing the 21-foot vessel.

"The United States Coast Guard aviation unit as well as a charter vessel assisted in the search for these boaters," according to Rodriguez.

Miami Beach Police suggest that boaters take the following precautions:

• Check the marine forecast prior to setting out.
• Know the limitations of your vessel.
• Have life jackets readily accessible for each passenger.
• Always have a float plan.
• Keep a waterproof emergency bag equipped with a handheld GPS, as well as a handheld VHF marine radio.

Watch below:

Photo by Paul Scicchitano. Video courtesy Miami Beach Police Department.