Stranded boater rescued from Manatee County sandbar after 15 hours

PALMETTO, Fla. - First responders pulled a stranded boater to safety before weather conditions took a turn for the worse, the North River Fire District said.

‘Challenging and unique situation’

What we know:

NRFD, which serves portions of Manatee County, said the boater was stuck on a remote sandbar for at least 15 hours before rescuers utilized Urban Search and Rescue boats to respond to the "challenging and unique situation."

The agency said that time was a critical factor because inclement weather was headed toward the area.

First responders rescued a boater who had been stranded on a remote sandbar for 15 hours, officials said. (Courtesy: North River Fire District.)

Rescuers were able to free the boater, who officials said was found to be in good health.

What we don't know:

The North River Fire District did not release any further details on the boater's identity or the exact date and time the rescue took place.

What they're saying:

"This incident highlights the value of specialized equipment, such as USAR boats, in accessing areas that are otherwise unreachable, reinforcing their importance in emergency response scenarios," NRFD said in a statement.