Teen Girls Rescued After 16 Hours at Sea

cedar key, tampa - Two American teen girls (16) rescued after drifting at sea for 16 hours on a paddle surfboard near Tampa.

Teen Girls Rescued After 16 Hours at Sea

Two 16-year-old American girls were rescued after being missing at sea for 16 hours on a paddle surfboard near Tampa. The girls, whose names have not been disclosed, drifted away from the fishing pier in Cedar Key on Monday afternoon local time.

Search and Rescue Operation

• A massive search operation was launched involving coast guard patrol boats, a rescue helicopter, and assistance from pleasure boaters and fishermen.
• Three fishermen spotted the girls early Tuesday morning on an oyster reef, approximately 22 kilometers from the fishing pier.

Rescue and Condition

The girls were found by fishermen Russ Coon, Will Pauling, and Alex Jeffries. They were stranded on the reef due to strong winds and waves. The teens had seen the rescue helicopter flying overhead at night but couldn't reach it due to sharp oyster shells.

After being rescued, the girls were taken to a local hospital for treatment. They showed signs of hypothermia but were otherwise in good spirits.