Three adults were rescued by a Coast Guard crew eight miles west of Bean Point on Anna Maria Island after their 37-foot boat began taking on water Sunday.

At approximately 3:50 p.m Coast Guard watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a report that the boat had begun taking on water from a six-inch hole in the hull. 

A boatcrew from the station arrived on scene around 4:30 p.m., plugged the hole, commenced dewatering and put the boat in tow. 

The boat was safely towed to Bradenton Beach Marina at approximately 8 p.m.

"It is important for boaters to remember the Coast Guard can always be reached via channel 16 in an emergency," said Lt. Michael Persun, a command duty officer at Sector St. Petersburg. "Having a marine band radio on board a vessel, like in this case, can save lives when a situation becomes an emergency."

Manatee County Fire and Rescue and a witness also responded.