The Coast Guard rescued a dolphin Thursday after it landed in a boat in Back Bay.

  • Witness reported 7-foot dolphin
  • Station Fort Myers Beach crew responded to scene

At 1 a.m., watchstanders from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach received a call from a man who saw a 7-foot dolphin jump out of the water and land in the dinghy attached to his sailboat.

The Coast Guard, in coordination with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine biologist, determined the dolphin should be placed back into the water as quickly as possible to ensure the dolphin's survival.

A 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boat crew from Station Fort Myers Beach was launched, arrived on scene and assisted the dolphin into the water.

"I am proud of the close coordination between our crews and the professionals at FWC," said Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gruschow, commanding officer of Station Fort Myers Beach. "Through this coordination we were able to save another life."