MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Coast Guard is monitoring the environmental impact of thousands of gallons of fuel that spilled into the waters off of Manatee County from a fishing vessel.

What You Need To Know

  • A fishing vessel sank just off of Anna Maria Island on Friday

  • Pieces of the boat washed ashore on Saturday

  • The Coast Guard is monitoring the fuel spill

Around 8 p.m. on Friday a 70 foot commercial fishing boat began to take on water near Anna Maria Island. The fishermen were taken to a nearby dock by the Coast Guard, with no injuries reported.

Pieces of the boat were recovered on Saturday as most of the debris washed ashore, but fuel from the vessel remained in the water. The Coast Guard monitored from above.

“It smelled terrible,” said Hunter Napier, a surfer. “I feel back for the fish out there because it’s their house.”

Officials say an estimated 7,000 gallons of fuel spilled from the boat as attempts to tow it ashore failed.