- January 26, 2026
The Flagler Beach Fire Department made a rare marine rescue in the early morning hours of Jan. 24 after a sailboat became stranded 50 yards from shore.
At around 4:32 a.m. on Jan. 24, Flagler County Emergency Communications received a call for assistance from the United States Coast Guard. A sailboat was capsizing off the coast of Flagler Beach after it had run aground on a sandbar near the shore, according to a Flagler Beach Fire Department press release.
The FBPD and the Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and a FBPD rescuer swam out the 50 yards to the sailboat. Two adults and one child were rescued from the boat, without injuries.
In total the rescue response involved members of the following organizations: the FBPD, the FCFR, the United States Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Flagler Beach Police Department and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
The Flagler Beach Fire Department would like to remind marine vessel operators to closely monitor marine conditions, ensure vessels are properly equipped, and exercise caution when operating watercraft near shorelines and sandbars, especially during overnight and early morning hours, the press release said.
A spokesperson for the FBFD told the Observer the Florida Department of Water will remove the boat if the owner does not remove it fast enough. The boat was under 30 feet in size.
