KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a report that someone on a fishing boat fired multiple shots in the direction of a 20-foot pleasure boat while its passengers were diving southwest of Key West.
Coast Guard officials said in a news release that the report was received Wednesday morning from someone on board the pleasure boat, which was about 20 nautical miles southwest of Marquesas Key.
The Coast Guard Cutter William Trump was diverted to the area, where they were joined from a boat crew from Key West. They conducted a boarding of the fishing boat and took control of both vessels, escorting them into port.
The agency is conducting a criminal investigation. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also will investigate possible fishing violations.