2 Women Found Safe In Keys After Jumping From Sinking Boat

MARATHON, FL — Two women who had been the focus of a day-long search by the U.S. Coast Guard and Monroe County Sheriff's Office, turned up safe in Key West on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff's office. Rescuers had been searching for the women since around 2:30 a.m. They had been last seen trying to swim to shore.

Adam Linhardt of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office told Patch on Tuesday afternoon that the search was called off when the women turned up safe. The search had been focused on Boot Kay Harbor.

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"Coast Guard Sector Key West watchtanders received a call at approximately 2:30 am., from Chris Hambrock reporting he was on a small row boat with two females who reportedly jump overboard and attempted to swim to shore,"the Coast Guard said earlier on Tuesday. "He lost sight of the two women and contacted MCSO."

Robert Klepper of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told Patch on Wednesday that the women and Hambrock jumped in the water when the rowboat started to sink. Hambrock had a larger vessel nearby.

"The male occupant made it to his vessel, we believe by swimming," said Klepper. "The two female occupants swam to shore and were located."

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Miami, a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boatcrew from Station Marathon and MCSO participated in the search, according to the Coast Guard.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano