A family whose rented boat began taking on water was rescued Saturday from the intercoastal off Clearwater, according to St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.

An official said the family was out in a 20-foot deck boat celebrating a birthday party for Michael Vazquez and his twin brother.

"Something to remember. I mean I don't think we'll ever forget," said Michael Vazquez.

They said after putting down the anchor the back of the boat, it began to take on water.

Throwing their life jackets on they jumped in the water.

"[We were] panicking because I have an 8-year-old, and another one who doesn't know how to swim so we were a little nervous about that,” Vazquez said. “But we were just making sure everybody was safe."

That's when they got a little help.

"I see people waving at me and they're waving a little too much to just be a friendly wave," said Tyler Dehaven with Starlite Cruises.

Crew members of the Sealife Safari made their way over and helped some of them on board.

"You just always know fellow boaters need help and you'd never want to be in a situation to see a boat go by and leaving you as you slowly go down," said Dehaven.

A quick ride from the Coast Guard later and back on dry land the family is grateful for those who were there at the right time.

"We’d like to say thank you to the coast guard and everybody that rescued us," said Arme Bryant.

Vazquez says next year he might be making different birthday plans.

"No more water, no more water,” said Vazquez.



Fish and wildlife is still investigating why the boat started to sink.