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30 People, 1 Dog, Rescued After Boat Capsizes Off Key Biscayne

MIAMI (CBSMiami) –- Thirty people and one dog were rescued from the water Sunday after a 45-foot catamaran capsized near the Miami Seaquarium.

Good Samaritan, Charles Brennan, was the first to call for help when he spotted the capsized vessel and numerous people in the water around 5:30 p.m.

He turned his boat around and rushed to aid the stranded passengers who were struggling to keep afloat.

"We needed to get them out of the water or at least get them to the top of the boat, we thought the boat was going all the way down but actually it bottomed out with the top deck barely above water level," said Brennan.

Within minutes, nine different rescue agencies arrived on the scene bringing everybody to safety.

The U.S. Coast Guard says Sunday was nothing short of a miracle, mainly because of the quick thinking of Good Samaritans.

There are no reports of any deaths or serious injuries.

The catamaran is partially submerged in 6-8 feet of water and is partially exposed.  Mariners in the area are urged to exercise caution.

FWC officials are investigating the cause of the capsizing.

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