Tampa, Fla. (970 WFLA)-Divers from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Marine Unit plucked a man from a buoy about 3.5 miles northeast of Beer Can Beach Sunday evening.
A boater called 911 after his friend, who could not swim, jumped from the boat without wearing a personal flotation device, and ended up climbing onto the buoy.
The boater told the sheriff's office he could not go back to get his friend, because the boat battery was dead and he was anchored in place.
After a few minutes searching, deputies with the Hillsborough Aviation Unit located, both the stranded boater and the man on the buoy. Because of the rough water, divers jumped into action and brought the man back to their boat.
The stranded boater and the rescued swimmer were safely taken to Williams Park boat ramp.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that just after 5 pm Sunday, a pick up truck towing an 18 foot boat was heading west on the Gandy Bridge when the trailer hitch malfunctioned, then separated from the truck. The boat came off the trailer, both hit the concrete wall barrier. No one was injured.
Photo Credit: FHP
Video Credit:HCSO