What started as a regular fishing trip turned into a rescue 35 miles off the coast of Marco Island.

Captain Kevin Koprash with Six Chuter Charters was returning from a trip Saturday afternoon when he and his crew spotted something unusual floating in the Gulf.

“At first we thought it was just debris,” Koprash said. “Me and my first mate kind of had pits in our stomachs, and we agreed we had to turn around and go back. And I’m glad we did.”

The white object they passed turned out to be a capsized boat. Not far away, two men were stranded on an old radio tower.

Video shows the moment Koprash pulled the boat alongside the tower and offered help.

Koprash and his passengers helped the men climb aboard, offering them water and reassurance. The men had been fishing near Bonita Springs before

See Full Page