News Releases

Family found floating at sea; FWC investigating

News Release

Monday, October 10, 2011

Media contact: Officer Robert Dube, 305-684-8703

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Boaters Rescued

A family of seven was rescued by a good Samaritan and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Marathon after their boat capsized off the coast of the Florida Keys.    

Eight people (four women, three men and one child) were in a 22-foot boat around noon Saturday near Tennessee Reef Lighthouse off Long Key when a large wave swamped their vessel, causing it to capsize. Those on board were tossed into the water. Zaida San Jurjo Gonzalez of Hialeah (DOB 07/24/32) is missing; a search continues. She was not wearing a personal flotation device.

The three men clung to the bow of the boat for approximately 20 hours until David Jensen, a fishing guide, found them at approximately 8 a.m. Sunday and called 911. The Coast Guard found the three women and child, who had been floating away from the boat since it capsized, all of whom had on personal flotation devices.  

The rescued were brought to shore and transported to Fishermen's Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries including exhaustion, jellyfish stings and hypothermia. They are:

• Jorge Alejo Gonzalez (DOB 08/31/49), Royal Palm Beach;
• Tomasa Torres Gonzalez (DOB 02/28/54), Royal Palm Beach;
• Elena G. Gonzalez (DOB 04/28/59), Hialeah;
• Juglar Riveras (DOB 12/24/76), Hialeah;
• Jose Miguel De Armas (DOB 03/19/71), Royal Palm Beach;
• Yunisleidy Lima Tejada (DOB 12/16/85) Royal Palm Beach;
• Fabiana De Armas Lima (DOB 09/13/07) Royal Palm Beach.

The FWC is continuing its investigation into the accident.