Two Children Rescued After Boat Overturns During Sailing Lesson Near Dunedin

Emergency crews responded to the incident at a local marina on Sunday afternoon.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Two children were rescued from the water after their sailboat overturned during a sailing club instructional class in Dunedin, Florida on Sunday. Dunedin Fire Rescue responded to the incident at a local marina just after 3 p.m. and pulled the children from the water. The sailboat was left adrift and later reported washed ashore on a nearby beach.

Why it matters

Boating safety and the importance of proper training and supervision, especially for young sailors, is highlighted by this incident. Dunedin is a popular coastal community for recreational boating, making water rescue preparedness critical for local emergency services.

The details

According to reports, the two children were participating in a sailing club instructional class at 49 Marina Plaza in Dunedin when their boat overturned. Emergency crews were called to the scene just after 3 p.m. and were able to pull the children from the water. The sailboat was left adrift and later reported washed ashore on North Redington Beach the following day, though it's unclear if it was the same vessel.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, February 16, 2026 just after 3 p.m.
  • The sailboat was reported washed ashore on North Redington Beach the following morning, on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Dunedin Fire Rescue

The local fire and emergency response department that responded to the incident and rescued the two children from the water.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of proper safety protocols and supervision for youth sailing programs, as well as the need for effective emergency response capabilities in coastal communities like Dunedin where recreational boating is popular.