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Coast Guard Searches For Missing Boaters; Capsized Vessel Found At Haulover Inlet

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The US Coast Guard is continuing its search for two missing boaters.

Monday morning, just before noon, Chopper4 was over a capsized boat at the Haulover Inlet that matched the description of an overdue 23-foot Proline vessel.

Only one person out of a crew of three was found in Biscayne Bay. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Coast Guard said that man and two others were on a boat that capsized during a storm.

A Coast Guard petty officer confirms this is the 23-foot vessel that they had been searching for.

The boat had left the Caribbean Club in Key Largo on Thursday and at 4 p.m. Sunday, FWC told the Coast Guard the vessel was overdue.

Five and a half hours later, there was a development.

Voice of Petty Officer Jonathan Lally with the US Coast Guard, "Later at 9:30 p.m. good Samaritans reported they had recovered a person in the water near Biscayne Bay."

That survivor said their vessel ran into bad weather on Friday.

"The gentleman said they encountered a storm on Friday and capsized in a storm."

It's not clear where the boat capsized, but a decision was made that two of them would stay with the vessel.

"The people left behind were wearing life jackets. He swam to safety to get help."

The Coast Guard launched two different flight crews to search from Key Largo up to Broward County and further north.

"Right now, crews in Station Miami, as well as, Coast Guard Clearwater and a couple of Coast Guard cutters are involved in the search."

Fortunately, the Coast Guard says the boaters filed a float plan, which includes a description of the vessel, who's on board, the safety equipment, where you'll be and when you'll arrive.

"When you go out you have to have a float plan and have life jackets because life jackets significantly increase your chances of survival."

"Think about it, boat crews and aircrews are looking for you and they are looking for any signs they can see you in the water."

The Coast Guard hopes this search will be successful.

"The one factor you can never put in is a person's will to live, so there is no set time for this search because every case is unique."

"There's no telling how long this search will go as long as there is hope that we can bring these people home. The search is going to continue right now."

So, there is no time limit on that search.

It's not clear how the man who was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital is doing.

So far, the Coast Guard is not identifying the three people who were on board.

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