A 26-foot boat sank with six men on board during a night fishing trip two miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale Wednesday night.   A man on a charter fishing boat spotted something in the water and heard a man call out for help.  The man called the U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale via an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast.  The U.S. Coast Guard arrived on the scene with Broward County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:00 p.m.  By the time rescuers arrived four men had already been pulled from the water.

With the help of the BSO’s helicopter, the U.S. Coast Guard was able to rescue the other two men in the water.  One of the men was found unresponsive when he was pulled out of the water and CPR efforts were started immediately.  Unfortunately, the man was later pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center upon arrival.  The other five men who were rescued were also taken to Broward Health and are expected to make a full recovery.

It is unknown what caused the boat to sink but according to news sources the vessel vanished quickly beneath the waves, leaving the men adrift and treading water for about half an hour in waters approximately 70 feet deep.

We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased man and wish a speedy recovery to the other five survivors.