JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-
A search was under way Sunday for a man who decided to swim 15 miles to safety after his boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. Coast Guard said. His four companions were rescued.
The five men were fishing in a 17-foot pleasure boat when it began taking on water and capsized about 11 a.m. Saturday, Coast Guard Petty Officer Donnie Brzuska said.
Four of the five men decided to swim for shore. The man who stayed with the capsized boat was rescued by another boater about 6 p.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
The men who swam for shore were separated overnight. A Coast Guard rescue crew rescued two of them together from the water about 8 a.m. Sunday and found the third a short time later.
“They had mild hypothermia and dehydration,” Brzuska said. “They will be OK.”
The missing boater was wearing a life jacket. Two helicopters and a variety of rescue boats are now involved in the search.
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