NEWS

Coast Guard rescues dolphin in Back Bay

The News-Press
At 1 a.m. watchstanders from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach received a call from a man who stated he witnessed a 7-foot dolphin jump out of the water and land in the dinghy attached to his sailboat, a Coast Guard report said.

The Coast Guard rescued a dolphin today after it landed in a boat in Back Bay.

At 1 a.m. watchstanders from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach received a call from a man who stated he witnessed a 7-foot dolphin jump out of the water and land in the dinghy attached to his sailboat, a Coast Guard report said. 

The Coast Guard in coordination with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine biologist determined the dolphin should be placed back into the water as quickly as possible to ensure the dolphin's survival.

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A 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boat crew from Station Fort Myers Beach was launched and assisted the dolphin into the water.

"I am proud of the close coordination between our crews and the professionals at FWC," according to a statement from Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gruschow, commanding officer of Station Fort Myers Beach. "Through this coordination we were able to save another life."

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The video was shot by U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Chris Epperson.