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Coast Guard Rescues Couple Missing off Fla. Coast With Disabled Engine

Bogdan Makowski, 69, and Elizabeth Makowski, 61, were rescued at about 2 a.m. Saturday and were in stable condition, officials said.
2 missing boaters found alive 10 miles northwest of Anclote Key, Fla.
Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Fla., rescue two missing boaters Saturday who were found 10 miles northwest of Anclote Key, Fla. The couple was transferred aboard the station's 25-foot Response Boat-Small and taken to Anclote River Boat Ramp, Anclote Key.Fireman Mark Harmeling / U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard rescued a couple stranded 10 miles off the coast of western Florida early Saturday — nearly a week after they went missing, officials said. Bogdan Makowski, 69, and Elizabeth Makowski, 61, were found at about 2 a.m. in stable condition, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Their 27-foot 1976 Almond Hunter sailing vessel was towed and the boaters were transferred safely to Anclote River Boat Ramp in Holiday, about 30 miles north of Tampa.

“We saw the blue lights from their ship and noticed that they were moving towards us,” Bogdan Makowski told NBC affiliate WFLA. “I probably lost a few pounds, my wife had some bruises but we are okay overall," he added.

The Makowskis were reported missing on Friday by a friend who expected them to return on Tuesday and hadn't been in touch with them since Sunday, according to the Coast Guard. The friend told officials that their sailing vessel had a disabled engine. "The Coast Guard reminds boaters to carry multiple forms of emergency signaling devices" because such a device "can save hours of search time," the Coast Guard said.

2 missing boaters found alive 10 miles northwest of Anclote Key, Fla.
Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Fla., rescue two missing boaters Saturday who were found 10 miles northwest of Anclote Key, Fla. The couple was transferred aboard the station's 25-foot Response Boat-Small and taken to Anclote River Boat Ramp, Anclote Key.Fireman Mark Harmeling / U.S. Coast Guard

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