The sailboat ran aground off Redington Beach, according to Pinellas County deputies.

REDINGTON BEACH – Pinellas sheriff’s deputies this morning (May 1) pulled an injured man from a sailboat that had run aground in the Gulf of Mexico.

Deputies said they they received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard about 4:51 a.m. asking them to check for a boat that had run aground behind the Tides condominium, 16750 Gulf Blvd. in Redington Beach. When deputies arrived, they located the 30-foot sailboat partially capsized about 15-20 feet offshore with the engine running.

Deputies say they could hear someone moaning in distress on board the sailboat. Deputies Daniel Nociera, Tyler Schutz and Jason Schmittendorf waded out into the waist deep water and found 74-year-old James Shemwell clinging to the deck of the boat. Shemwell was disoriented and suffered minor injuries, deputies said.

Deputies were able to pull Shemwell safely to shore and make sure no one else was on board the vessel. Deputies said Shemwell told them he last remembered departing from the Skyway Bridge area. Deputies said they believe that impairment may have been a factor. Shemwell was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing.

For information about the Pinellas County Sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Photo courtesy of the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office.

Pinellas Sheriff | Redington Beach | Tides Condominium | Boat Aground | TB Reporter

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