MIAMI – Two boaters who were adrift for two days were spotted Wednesday by a good Samaritan near the Haulover Inlet, authorities said.
Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll said the men were found about 12:15 p.m. He said paramedics checked out the men as their boat was towed to Haulover Marina.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said the boaters had been fishing near Marathon when their boat became disabled and drifted off.
Local 10 News reporter Liane Morejon spoke to the good Samaritan who found the boaters about 5 miles east of the Haulover Inlet, identified only as Capt. Charlie.
Charlie, who is a charter boat captain, said he was out on his personal boat with a private client when he spotted the stranded boaters.
He said he initially found it odd that the T-top was on its side and cautiously approached the boat to see if everything was OK.
Charlie believes that the men were using the T-top as a makeshift sail.
He said once he got close enough, he realized that the men, who spoke only Spanish, were asking for help.
"I've found plenty of empty rafts, never with people aboard," Charlie said.
Charlie said he then called the Coast Guard to help get the men and their boat back to shore.
Sky 10 was above the scene as the boat was being towed to the marina.
Charlie said the men appeared to be OK, just weathered from the ordeal and sunburned.
"Just another day on the water in South Florida," Charlie said. "(You) never know what you'll encounter."
Authorities said the men are being questioned aboard a Coast Guard cutter.