Boat capsizes near Miami; 30 people rescued

[October 14, 2013]  MIAMI (AP) -- A 45-foot boat capsized Sunday in waters near Miami, tossing 30 people into the sea during one of the city's busiest boating days, authorities said. All of those on board were rescued and no one was hurt.

The catamaran began taking on water near the Miami Seaquarium and good Samaritans, the Coast Guard, state wildlife officials and commercial boats helped pluck people out of the water within minutes. A dog that was on the boat was also saved.

"It was an incredible effort," Coast Guard spokesman Ryan Doss said.

Thousands of boaters were on the water for Columbus Day celebrations.

It wasn't immediately why the boat started taking on water. Doss said he didn't know how many people the boat could hold.

A preliminary investigation indicated the boat was privately owned by someone who may have been charging people to taxi them to a party on Nixon Beach, Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesman Jorge Pino said. The agency is investigating what caused the boat to capsize.

The catamaran is still partially submerged in 6 to 8 feet of water.

[Associated Press]

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