A stranded boater in Pasco County rescued after 22 hours - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

A stranded boater in Pasco County rescued after 22 hours

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PASCO COUNTY, FL -

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit deputies rescued a boater who they say was stranded in the Ghost Creek north of the Sea Pines Canal for 22 hours.

Deputies said the U.S. Coast Guard helped them bring the 68-year-old Rick Smith of Hudson and his boat back.

According to the deputies' report, Smith's 1982 Scorpian cabin boat drifted off two miles into the Gulf after its anchor broke away.  Smith and his friend Joseph Merten ran out of fuel and lost cellular connection. Merten swam to the shore through mangroves to get help, deputies told us.

Smith didn't need any medical attention, PCSO deputies told us.

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