The Lee County Marine Emergency Response Team responded to reports of a stranded boat on a sandbar just north of Useppa Island Monday night.
According to reports, a distressed mother and her teenage son made the call for help.
Crews say the family was stuck for two hours before they made the distress call. Lightning and thunder were approaching at the time.
The father decided to remain with the boat but was later returned to shore by the Pine Island Fire Department after getting the boat free and grounded closer to land. Crews say he felt ill.
Useppa Fire would like to stress to boaters that they should replan their trips around the weather patterns and tides this time of year. Also, if unfamiliar with area waters, boaters should use proper tools to navigate, including a GPS/chart to help avoid shallow areas.
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