Boaters urged to share info to help rescue efforts

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NORTH NAPLES, Fla. Emergencies at sea happen more often than most people realize.

That’s why the Collier County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging boaters to fill out an online form describing their watercraft and where they plan to take it.

“If we have a place to come look for you, we will find you much quicker in the Gulf than looking for a needle in a haystack,” Bruening said.

Deputies also emphasize the importance of having an experience hand on board.

“Its rare we see somebody that is very experienced have these kind of emergencies,” Collier County Sgt. Dave Bruening said.

The Collier Marine Emergency Response Team trains to rescue those lost at sea. They performed drills Tuesday that involved lifting 180-pound dummies out of the water and using a circular buoy equipped with a GPS to track the current.

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